Neeskens and Cruyff were the leading players when the Netherlands introduced the so-called total football in the 1970s.
He scored the national team's only goal in the World Championship final against West Germany in 1974 – on a penalty after 80 seconds – but the championship still ended with silver as the home nation turned around and won 2–1.
The most beautiful football does not always win, he said later about the final in Munich, according to the Dutch association.
But it's incredible that people all over the world are still talking about the team. The best and most beautiful football, total football.
Played for Ajax
Neeskens, who died on Sunday, played for Ajax during most of his career. After the World Championship in 1978, he moved to Spain to continue his career in Barcelona – where he was reunited with Johan Cruyff.
National team coach Stefan Pettersson played six years (1988-1994) in Ajax and attests to the impact Neeskens and his teammates had on the club.
Like all in that generation, he was a big name in the club. I met him a few times. What I've heard was that he was not only a great player but also a fantastic person in every way.
It's sad, of course, and I'm sure it will be noticed by Ajax. Just like Johan Cruyff, he left too early, says Pettersson about Neeskens.
Losing a Legend
Johan Neeskens scored 17 goals in 49 A-international matches. In his club career, he won, among other things, the European Cup – now the Champions League – three times.
The Netherlands had very many good players then, he was one of them. They had a fine gang. Everyone could move around the entire pitch, that was what was brilliant about their game. It requires enormous game understanding to play like that, not least when you're a midfielder like Neeskens was. It was impressive, says Claes Cronqvist, who was part of the Swedish national team during the World Championship in 1974.
"With Johan Neeskens' passing, the Netherlands and international football lose a legend", writes the Dutch Football Association in a statement.
"His name is forever linked to European successes with clubs like Ajax and Barcelona and two World Championship finals for the Dutch national team."
