Johan Neeskens, one of many midfield stars of the Netherlands’ ‘Clockwork Orange’ groups of the Nineteen Seventies alongside Johan Cruyff, has died. He was 73.
Neeskens misplaced two successive World Cup finals. He scored from the penalty spot to provide his workforce an early 1-0 lead within the 1974 showpiece however Netherlands, identified for his or her fluent model of ‘whole soccer’, went on to lose 2-1 to West Germany in Munich.
“The most beautiful football doesn’t always win,” he mentioned later, based on the Dutch soccer affiliation KNVB. “But it’s incredible to me that people all over the world still talk about that Dutch team. The best and most beautiful football, total football.”
Neeskens was once more within the workforce in 1978 when the Dutch as soon as extra fell agonisingly wanting the world title, shedding 3-1 to host Argentina after extra-time in Buenos Aires.
Neeskens performed a complete of 49 internationals for Netherlands, together with 12 at World Cups, and scored 17 targets.
Neeskens received the European Cup, the predecessor of the Champions League, 3 times as a part of the dominant Ajax workforce of the early ’70s and went on to play for Barcelona after which the New York Cosmos amongst different groups.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Johan Neeskens. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Rest in peace, Ajax legend,” the Amsterdam membership mentioned on X, previously Twitter.
Neeskens performed for Barcelona and labored as an assistant coach on the membership to Frank Rijkaard
Barcelona, referring to the membership’s nickname, referred to as Neeskens “A blaugrana legend who will forever be in our memory. Rest in peace.”
At a reunion of the gamers within the 1974 World Cup last, Neeskens defined what he believed was the important thing to a workforce’s success. “The collective, that’s what it’s all about,” he mentioned based on the KNVB. “You need each other on the field. You can only become a champion as a team. There is only one star and that is the team.”
Neeskens (second left) is congratulated by team-mates after scoring for Netherlands in opposition to Bulgaria within the 1974 World Cup group stage
After his taking part in profession, Neeskens acted as an assistant coach for each Netherlands and Australia.
The Dutch soccer affiliation KNVB mentioned on Monday that Neeskens died the day past in Algeria, the place he was participating in a training undertaking it organised. No reason for loss of life was instantly introduced.
“Words fail to capture the enormity and suddenness of this loss,” the KNVB mentioned in an announcement on its web site. “Our thoughts are with his wife Marlis, his children, family and friends.
“The world not solely says goodbye to a gifted sportsman however, above all, to a compassionate, pushed and great individual.”
