Midfielder Johan Neeskens was one of the main players of the Dutch national team in the 1970s, when Holland played twice in the World Cup final.
One of the all-time greats of Dutch football Johan Neeskens has died, said the Dutch football association KNVB on Monday. According to the association, 73-year-old Neeskens had been in Algeria working in the KNVB’s international coaching program, but suddenly fell ill and died on Sunday.
Midfielder Neeskens was a member of the Dutch national team in the 1970s, when Holland played twice in the World Cup final. Neeskens gave Holland the lead with an early penalty kick in the 1974 World Cup final against West Germany, but West Germany, who hosted the tournament, still won 2–1. Four years later in Argentina, Neeskens and Holland lost the World Cup final to Argentina 1–3.
During his club team career, Neeskens represented, among others, Ajax and Barcelona. He won the European Cup three times in Ajax.