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Johan Neeskens, element of the Ajax and Netherlands teams that produced “total football” within the Nineteen Seventies and an important team-mate of Johan Cruyff, has truly handed away aged 73, the Dutch soccer federation statedMonday “With Johan Neeskens, the Dutch and international football world loses a legend,” the KNVB federation acknowledged in a declaration, together with that the midfielder had truly handed away on Sunday from an undefined illness. Neeskens grew to become a part of the Ajax group that gained 3 straight European Cups within the very early Nineteen Seventies and was likewise a participant of the ‘Clockwork Oranje’ Dutch group that obtained to successive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.
He gained 49 caps for the Netherlands.
“With his characteristic tackles, sublime insight and iconic penalties, (he) will forever remain one of the leading players that Dutch football has ever produced,” acknowledged the KNVB.
After his having enjoyable occupation, Neeskens participated in mentoring applications across the globe.
Known on the pitch for his uncompromising taking up, he likewise had a softer facet, the KNVB acknowledged in its declaration.
He was “a world citizen and a gentle family man who was proud of his children and grandchildren and who, until the very end, knew how to touch others with his love for football.”
The KNVB acknowledged it will actually maintain a min’s silence on the following 2 worldwide fits versus Hungary and Germany.
Ajax composed on X: “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.”
Barcelona, the place he was known as “Johan The Second” (after Crujff), in keeping with Dutch public broadcaster NOS, likewise tweeted acknowledgements.
“A blaugrana legend who will forever be in our memory.”
Current Dutch teacher Ronald Koeman outlined Neeskens as his “great idol”.
Playing soccer within the highway as a child, Koeman acknowledged his buddies both wished to be Crujff or Dutch movie star Willem van Hanegem.
“But I wanted to be Neeskens,” acknowledged Koeman, talked about by neighborhood data firm ANP.
“His style really appealed to me. His fight, for example. And he was also a great penalty specialist.”
(Except for the heading, this story has truly not been modified by NDTV personnel and is launched from a syndicated feed.)
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