Johan the Second: Dutch footballing legend and former Barcelona and Ajax midfielder Johan Neeskens dies aged 73 | OneFootball

It has been announced that Dutch football legend Johan Neeskens has died aged 73. The KNVB announced that the former player and manager died unexpectedly.

Neeskens will certainly be remembered as one of the best Dutch midfielders to play the game. The midfielder spent time with both Ajax and Barcelona during the 1970s, where he won European and domestic competitions. During his time in Amsterdam he won the Eredivisie twice, the KNVB Cup twice, the European Cup three times and the European Super Cup twice. He joined Barcelona and linked up with the legendary Johan Cruyff. During his time with the Catalan giants he was nicknamed Johan Segon, or Johan the Second. At Barcelona, Neeskens won the Copa del Rey once and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1979.

At international level, Neeskens earned 49 caps and was part of the Oranje side that came close to winning two World Cups. He scored the opening goal of the 1974 World Cup final against West Germany. In 1976 the side came third in the Euros, losing to eventual winners Czechoslovakia in the semi-finals. In 1978 the side lost to Argentina in extra time of the World Cup final.

Following his own retirement, he spent time working with Guus Hiddink as part of the Oranje set up, as well as at Australia. He also coached at Barcelona, Galatasaray and a brief spell as the head coach of South African side Mamelodi Sundown’s.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson