Netherlands great Neeskens dies aged 73

• Johan Neeskens was part of the famous 1970s Netherlands side
• Midfielder scored fastest goal ever in a FIFA World Cup final
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino says Neeskens’ legacy “will live eternally”

Netherlands and Ajax legend Johan Neeskens has died at the age of 73.

A key component of the Dutch side which wowed the world with their ‘Total Football’ philosophy in the 1970s, Neeskens was among the finest midfielders of his generation.

Neeskens scored the fastest goal in the FIFA World Cup™ final history in 1974, his penalty after 88 seconds putting his team in front against hosts West Germany. The strike was one of five goals Neeskens netted at the tournament. While the Netherlands were ultimately edged out 2-1 in the final, their fluent, mesmerising football throughout the competition won the hearts of fans across the globe.

Johan Neeskens Goal 2′ | Netherlands v Germany FR | 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany™

Watch every single goal from the 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany™.

Neeskens was also an integral figure in the Dutch team which finished runners-up at Argentina 1978. The Oranje were again defeated by the host nation in the final, this time 3-1 after extra time.

As well as starring for the Netherlands across an 11-year international career, Neeskens also enjoyed significant success at club level. He was part of the famous Ajax team which won three consecutive European Cups between 1971 to 1973. He went on to join Barcelona, where he added to his haul of major continental titles by lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979.

Neeskens was inextricably linked with the great Johan Cruyff during his glittering playing days. They were team-mates at Ajax, Barça and the Netherlands, with Cruyff winning the penalty which Neeskens scored in the 1974 World Cup final.

After hanging up his boots, Neeskens moved into coaching. His roles included spells as an assistant coach with the Netherlands and Australia national teams as well as at Barcelona.

The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) confirmed Neeskens died in Algeria on Sunday 6 October. He was working in the African country as an ambassador for the federation’s WorldCoaches programme, which helps train coaches in low and middle-income countries.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino saluted Neeskens’ significant impact on the game.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of Johan Neeskens’ sudden passing,” he said. “He played a fundamental role in two of the greatest and most influential teams the game has seen – the Ajax side of the early 1970s and the Netherlands team which reached the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cup finals. In particular, his partnership alongside the late Johan Cruyff will ensure his legacy lives on eternally.

“On behalf of the global football community, my condolences go to his family, friends, former team-mates as well as everyone at the Royal Netherlands Football Association. May he rest in peace.”

In a statement, the KNVB said: “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.

“Those who were fortunate enough to get to know Johan Neeskens saw a global citizen and a gentle family man who was proud of his children and grandchildren and who continued to inspire others with his love for football until the very end.”