News, October 7: The Dutch Football Association (DFB) has released an official obituary confirming that Dutch footballer
Neskens (city in Buskerud, Norway)
pass away
, at the age of 73.
Born in 1951, Neskens is one of the legendary stars of Dutch soccer. Neskens played for Ajax and Barcelona, and won the Champions League with Ajax for three consecutive years. 1974-1979 when he played for Barcelona, Neskens contributed 44 goals and 5 assists in 148 games.
Neskens represented Holland in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. 1974 World Cup final, Neskens scored in the second minute to help Holland open the scoring, but was later reversed 1-2 by the Federal Republic of Germany. 1978 World Cup, Neskens also started to play the whole game, but Holland lost 1-3 in extra time to Argentina, and once again finished as runners-up.
After retiring from playing in 1991, Neskens served as an assistant coach to Barcelona manager Rijkaard, but was sacked along with Rijkaard at the end of the 2007-08 season. Later, Neskens became the head coach of the Dutch national team B until June 2009. After that, Neskens became Rijkaard's assistant coach at Galatasaray and remained in that position until 2010.
In 2004, Neskens was honored as one of the 125 greatest living athletes at the FIFA Awards.
soccer ball
One of the athletes.
