XALIMANEWS-Johann Neeskens, one of the greatest Dutch footballers, has died. The sad news was relayed by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB).
The death occurred suddenly, and the federation expressed its shock through an official press release. The latter specifies that Neeskens was in Algeria at the time of his death, where he was participating in a coaching training program, the « WorldCoaches » of the KNVB. Unfortunately, despite medical intervention, he could not be saved.
Johan Neeskens was a legendary midfielder, best known for his time at Ajax Amsterdam. With the club, he won the prestigious Champions Cup three years in a row (1971, 1972, 1973), establishing himself as one of the best players of the era. His career with the Dutch national team is equally impressive, with two participations in the World Cup final (1974 and 1978), although his team did not win the trophy. He made international football history alongside his friend and teammate Johan Cruyff, with whom he shared success at Ajax Amsterdam and later at FC Barcelona.
After hanging up his boots, Neeskens pursued a coaching career. However, he often held assistant positions, both in the Dutch selection and at FC Barcelona, during the Frank Rijkaard era. This facet of his career, although less publicized than his playing days, was marked by his contribution to the development of the team and its players.
In recent years, Neeskens has turned to a more social and humanitarian mission. He has played a key role in the training of coaches in developing countries, notably through the program WorldCoaches of the KNVB. This commitment demonstrates his desire to pass on his knowledge and expertise to future generations of footballers and coaches, particularly in areas less privileged in terms of footballing resources.
