Johan Neeskens
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Johan Neeskens (born September 15, 1951) was a Dutch football player and now manager. He part of the Holland side that finished as runner-ups in the 1974 and Template:Wcs.
Neeskens started his career at RCH Heemstede in 1968, before being spotted by Rinus Michels and signed for Ajax in 1969. The youngster impressed at right-back, playing in that position for Ajax in the 1971 European Cup Final win against Panathinikos. During the 1971-72 season, Neeskens took up more of a central midfield role, in support of Johan Cruyff, but was equally adept in central defence. Ajax completed a hatrick of European Cup wins in 1972 and 1973, and Neeskens moved on to FC Barcelona in 1974 to join Cruyff and Michels. While his time at Barcelona was relatively unsuccessful (one league title and the 1979 Cup Winners Cup), he was hugely popular amongst the fans. In 1979, he accepted an offer from the New York Cosmos, spending 5 years at the club. Winding down his career, he also played for FC Groningen (1984-85), Fort Lauderdale Sun (1986-87), FC Baar (1988-90) and FC Zug in Switzerland, finally hanging up his boots in 1991.
Neeskens was capped 49 times for his country, scoring 17 goals. He made his debut against East Germany, and played a crucial role in the 1974 and Template:Wcs, playing in central midfield and providing crucial goals. Indeed, Neeskens scored the opening goal in the World Cup Final against West Germany, scoring after only 80 seconds. However, this wasn't enough for victory, losing out 2-1 to the hosts. Four years later, Neeskens was a crucial player for the Dutch, in the absence of Cruyff, despite injury. Holland again reached the final, only to lose to the hosts, this time Argentina, going down 3-1. He played his final international game in 1981 in a 2-0 defeat against France in a qualifier for the 1982 World Cup.
Neeskens was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.de:Johan Neeskens
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