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Johan
Neeskens
(Holland)
Born
in Heemstede, Johann Neeskens, began his career with
local club RCH, but was soon transferred to Ajax where
he blossomed into one of the best players in Europe.
Nicknamed ‘Johann the second’ as his namesake
Cruyff was the first, he was one of the most profiled
members of the Total-Football team both at Ajax and
for the national team. Neeskens made his debut for
Holland in 1970 and occupied one of the midfield
positions for the next decade and more. In 1974, he
was instrumental as Holland outplayed every team that
stood in their way until the final when West Germany
won 2-1. Neeskens had a great World Cup scoring five
goals including a brilliant chip against Brazil and
that second-minute penalty in the final.
He left Ajax for
Barcelona after the World Cup and had five good
seasons in the Catalan capital winning the European
Cup Winners’ Cup as the highlight. In 1978, Holland
again reached the World Cup final. Neeskens was once
again a key player although not as frequently on the
scoresheet. He failed to score in his six games in
Argentina, but his contribution in midfield set up
many goals for Holland. The Dutch lost for a second
successive time to the hosts in a World Cup final.
This time to Argentina.
As many other stars in
the seventies, Neeskens moved to America to play in
the NASL towards the end of his career. His club was
New York Cosmos and he stayed there for six seasons
before he returned home. He retired in 1986 having
experienced many of the finest hours in Dutch
football, including three European Cup titles and a
World Club Cup title with Ajax and two World Cup
finals with Holland. Neeskens has had several coaching
jobs in recent years also as assistant coach for the
Dutch national team.
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