Legendary Dutch footballer Johan Neeskens dies at 73
Johan Neeskens, the celebrated midfielder who was integral to the Netherlands and Ajax teams that revolutionised football with the “Total Football” philosophy in the 1970s, has died at the age of 73.
The Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) confirmed the sad news on Monday, revealing that Neeskens passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, following an unspecified illness.
In a statement from the KNVB website titled, Johan Neeskens (15 September 1951 – 6 October 2024), the KNVB mourned the passing of the football icon, saying, “With Johan Neeskens, the Dutch and international football world loses a legend.”
Neeskens, who was in Algeria for the KNVB’s WorldCoaches project, died while continuing his global mission to uplift communities through football.
The statement added, “The world not only says goodbye to a gifted sportsman but above all, to a compassionate, driven, and wonderful person. Our thoughts are with his wife Marlis, his children, family, and friends.”
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