Dutch football mourns European Cup winner Johan Neeskens

Dutch and European football are mourning former Ajax, Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Johan Neeskens, who has passed away at the age of 73.

Neeskens was an integral figure in a generation of Dutch footballers who were credited with introducing the concept of Total Football. He was one of the key players in a team that reached two consecutive FIFA World Cup finals, in 1974 and 1978. Neeskens opened the scoring for the Netherlands from the penalty spot in the 1974 final against West Germany. He also featured in three consecutive European Cup finals, from 1971 to 1973, in which Ajax triumphed each time.

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said in a statement: "We are shocked by the news. Johan spent his last days in Algeria, working for the KNVB's World Coaches programme. He became unwell, and unfortunately the medical help he received was in vain.

"Words fail to capture the enormity and suddenness of this loss. Our thoughts are with his wife Marlis, his children, family, and friends. The world not only says goodbye to a gifted sportsman but, above all, to a compassionate, driven, and wonderful person."

Neeskens won 49 caps for the Netherlands. He scored 17 times, including seven goals from the penalty spot. At club level, he represented Ajax, with whom he won three European Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, the Intercontinental Cup and two Eredivisie titles; and Barcelona, where he won the European Cup Winners' Cup. He then moved to the United States, where he played for New York Cosmos and Kansas City Comets. He ended his career in Switzerland, and lived there for most of his years thereafter.

As a coach, he worked in Switzerland, Australia, Spain, the Netherlands, Türkiye and South Africa. Among other positions, Neeskens was assistant to Guus Hiddink for Australia during the 2006 World Cup, and afterwards joined Barcelona as assistant coach to Frank Rijkaard.