Johan Neeskens; 1951–2024
The football world is in mourning. And FC Barcelona in particular following the news that its former player and assistant coach Johan Neeskens has passed away at the age of 73.
Neeskens, a hero at Barça as much as in his native Holland, was at the club from 1974 to 1979, amassing 233 appearances and scoring 54 goals. He won over blaugrana hearts with his utter dedication to the cause, and was renowned for his extraordinary strength and physique.
His spectacular diving headers were a hallmark of his, with goals scored that way and so many others contributing to the conquests of the European Cup Winners Cup (1978/79) and Copa del Rey (1977/78).
Many years later, he was welcomed back to Camp Nou, this time as a coach, where he was the second-in-command under his compatriot Frank Rijkaard from 2006 to 2008.