The sudden death of Johan Neesken deserves significant attention from the international media, which considers the former midfielder of FC Barcelona as an “icon of total football” that represents, above all, the three-time European champion Ajax in the 1970s and the Dutch national team. which earned the nickname “A Clockwork Orange”. The press from his home country, the Netherlands, as well as Germany and Argentina, referred to his legacy with special dedication, recalling his role as a rival in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals, and the United States, for during his time with the New York Cosmos.
Voetball (Netherlands): “Catalans keep their memory alive”
“‘Messi, Messi!’ is from ‘Neeskens, Neeskens!’, the origin of a cry.
‘The motto was born while celebrating the victory of the Basel Cup in 1979 in the crowded Plaza de Sant Jaume. It was then known that Neeskens would not continue at Barça due to the club’s decision.”
De Telegraaf (Netherlands): “The star team is going down: more than half are missing”
Under the photo of the lineup that played in the 1974 World Cup final against Germany, the Dutch midfielder lamented that “the star team of the 1974 World Cup is shrinking again with the death of Johan Neeskens: ‘More than half are no longer alive’ ” (Cruyff, Rensenbrink, Neeskens, Keizer, Suurbier, Jongbloed, Hulshoff, Gerrie Muhren,,,,).
Süddeutsche Zeitung: “For many Germans, it formed the paradise of their childhood”
“Two defeats in the World Cup finals, a world famous penalty and an endless fighting spirit: together with Cruyff, Johan Neeskens was the face of Dutch football in the 70s; for German fans he was also part of paradise of their childhood”. “I don’t care to be the second best player in the world,” they remember as an emblematic phrase, referring to Johan Cruyff as the king of an era.
Clarín (Argentina): “Indefatigable dedication, extraordinary strength”
“Johan Neeskens, the legend of Holland’s Clockwork Orange, has died. A footballer of exceptional strength and physical condition, he stood out for his tireless dedication, which always made him one of the leaders of the teams where he played. In addition to his money “I work in the midfield, recover balls, and have a good command of the game with both feet and powerful shots.”
Olé (Argentina): “Mourning in football”
“Football is mourning the death of one of the most important parts of three-time European Cup champion Ajax.”
New York Times (United States): “One of the best of the 20th Century”
“Widely recognized as one of the best footballers of the 20th century”
O Globo (Brazil): “Idol in Cruyff’s ‘carousel'”
“Dutch football idol. He is part of Johan Cruyff’s Dutch Carousel.”
Folha de Sao Paulo (Brazil): “Clockwork Orange Icon”
“Dutch orange football icon and clockwork”
L’Equipe (France): “The total footballer”
“Cruyff’s lieutenant, the total footballer”
La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy): “‘Calcio Totale'”
“The pillar of the Dutch team of Cruyff and Ajax. When the world turned orange: the golden years of ‘Calcio Totale’. Neeskens is one of the interpreters of a movement that is indelibly recorded in history. Yes Cruyff is Don Quixote, Neskeens is his Sancho Panza”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
