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{{Short description|Dutch football manager and player (1951–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Johan Neeskens
| image = Johan Neeskens 1974.jpg
| caption = Neeskens with [[Netherlands national football team|the Netherlands]] in 1974
| full_name = Johannes Jacobus Neeskens<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=527&antID=1252896 |title=Johannes Jacobus Neeskens |publisher=Turkish Football Federation |access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1951|9|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Heemstede]], Netherlands
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|10|6|1951|9|15|df=y}}
| death_place = Algeria
| height = 1.78 m<ref name="worldfootball.net">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe2758/johan-neeskens/|title= Johan Neeskens|work=worldfootball.net|date= 7 October 2024}}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| years1 = 1968–1970
| clubs1 = [[Racing Club Heemstede|RCH]]
| caps1 = 68
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1970–1974
| clubs2 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps2 = 124
| goals2 = 33
| years3 = 1974–1979
| clubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps3 = 140
| goals3 = 35
| years4 = 1979–1984
| clubs4 = [[New York Cosmos (1971–1985)|New York Cosmos]]
| caps4 = 94
| goals4 = 17
| years5 = 1984–1985
| clubs5 = [[FC Groningen|Groningen]]
| caps5 = 7
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 1985
| clubs6 = [[South Florida Sun]]
| caps6 = 1
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 1985–1986
| clubs7 = [[Kansas City Comets (1979–91)|Kansas City Comets]] (indoor)
| caps7 = 23
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 1986–1987
| clubs8 = Löwenbrau (amateurs)
| caps8 = 
| goals8 = 
| years9 = 1987–1990
| clubs9 = Baar
| caps9 = 23
| goals9 = 5
| years10 = 1990–1991
| clubs10 = [[FC Zug]]
| caps10 = 1
| goals10 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 1970–1981
| nationalteam1 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
| nationalcaps1 = 49
| nationalgoals1 = 17
| manageryears1 = 1991–1993
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Zug]]
| manageryears2 = 1993–1995
| managerclubs2 = Stäfa
| manageryears3 = 1995–1996
| managerclubs3 = Singen
| manageryears4 = 1995–2000
| managerclubs4 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] (assistant manager)
| manageryears5 = 2000–2004
| managerclubs5 = [[NEC Nijmegen|NEC]]
| manageryears6 = 2005–2006
| managerclubs6 = [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]] (assistant manager)
| manageryears7 = 2006–2008
| managerclubs7 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] (assistant manager)
| manageryears8 = 2008–2009
| managerclubs8 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands B]]
| manageryears9 = 2009–2010
| managerclubs9 = [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] (assistant manager)
| manageryears10 = 2011–2012
| managerclubs10 = [[Mamelodi Sundowns]]
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974 West Germany]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978 Argentina]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[UEFA Euro 1976|1976 Yugoslavia]]|}}
}}

'''Johannes Jacobus Neeskens''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈjoːɦɑ ˈneːskəns}}; 15 September 1951 – 6 October 2024) was a Dutch [[association football|football]] manager and player. A [[midfielder]], he was an important member of the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands national team]] that finished as runners-up in the [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]] and [[1978 FIFA World Cup]]s and is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2016/03/15/56e7f5c046163f0a6e8b4690.html|title=FC Barcelona: El problema fecal de Núñez que echó a Neeskens del Barça - Marca.com|website=marca.com|date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2010/04/02/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1270203842.html|title=El Real Madrid ficha al hijo de Neeskens - MARCA.com|website=marca.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.es/club/historia/ficha/johan-neeskens|title=Johan Neeskens – FC Barcelona|website=FC Barcelona}}</ref> In 2004, he was named one of the [[FIFA 100|125 Greatest Living Footballers]] at a [[FIFA]] Awards Ceremony,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |work=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=18 November 2013 }}</ref> while in 2017 he was included in the ''[[FourFourTwo]]'' list of the 100 all-time greatest players, at the 64th position.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-70-61?page=0%2C1|title= FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: 70 to 61|last= Yorkhin|first= Michael|date= 25 July 2017|website= FourFourtwo|access-date= 2 August 2017|archive-date= 2 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170802210416/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-70-61?page=0%2C1|url-status= dead}}</ref>

After his retirement in 1991, Neeskens was assistant manager to [[Guus Hiddink]] with the Dutch and Australian national teams, and to [[Frank Rijkaard]] for the Netherlands, Barcelona and [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]]. He was also head coach of [[NEC Nijmegen]], the [[Netherlands national football team#National B team|Netherlands B national team]],<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=766646.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081026082927/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=766646.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 26 October 2008 | title = Neeskens to lead Netherlands B team | work = [[UEFA]] | date = 25 October 2008 | access-date = 24 November 2008}}</ref> and [[Mamelodi Sundowns]].

==Early life==
Neeskens was born in [[Heemstede]] in [[North Holland]] on 15 September 1951. In his childhood, marked by his parents' divorce, he slept in a corridor due to lack of space.<ref name=telegraph>{{cite news |title=Johan Neeskens, midfielder who reached two World Cup finals and helped to create total football |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/10/08/johan-neeskens-dutch-midfielder-total-football-obituary/|access-date=8 October 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=8 October 2024}}</ref>

Neeskens was gifted at sports as a child, including gymnastics and baseball. He represented the Netherlands at a youth European Championship in the latter sport.<ref name=telegraph/>

==Club career==
Neeskens started his career at [[Racing Club Heemstede]] in 1968, before being spotted by [[Rinus Michels]] and signed for [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in 1970.<ref name="Chiesa">{{cite magazine |last= Chiesa|first= Carlo F.|date= 22 August 1999|language= it|title= We are the champions – I 150 fuoriclasse che hanno fatto la storia del calcio| trans-title= The 150 champions that made football's history|magazine= Calcio 2000|publisher= Action Group S.r.l.|page= 123}}</ref> The youngster impressed at [[right-back]], playing in that position for Ajax in the 1971 [[European Cup]] Final win against [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]]. During the 1971–72 season, Neeskens took up more of a [[central midfield]] role, in support of [[Johan Cruyff]]. He adapted well to his new central midfield role because he was a tireless runner, had great technical skills and scored his fair share of goals. Ajax completed a hat-trick of European Cup wins between 1971 and 1973, and Neeskens moved on to [[FC Barcelona]] in 1974 to join Cruyff and Michels. There he was nicknamed ''Johan Segon'' (''Johan the Second'').<ref name="Chiesa"/>

While his time at Barcelona was relatively unsuccessful for the club (one cup title in 1978, and the 1979 [[Cup Winners' Cup]]), he was hugely popular amongst the fans. In 1979 he accepted an offer from the [[New York Cosmos (1971–1985)|New York Cosmos]], spending five years at the club. He earned the equivalent of 600,000 [[Dutch guilder]]s (roughly $300,000) per year at the club.<ref name=vi/> Having been absent without reason for the third time, he was given a nine-month suspension by manager [[Hennes Weisweiler]] in late 1980.<ref name=vi/> The Cosmos released him in October 1984. He also played for [[FC Groningen]] during the 1984–85 season. In June 1985, he signed with the [[South Florida Sun]] of the [[United Soccer League (1984–85)|United Soccer League]].<ref>''NEESKENS' GAME-WINNER LIFTS SUN, 3–1'' Miami Herald, The (FL) – Sunday, 23 June 1985</ref> The USL collapsed six games into the 1985 season. On 15 August 1985, he signed with the [[Kansas City Comets (1979–91)|Kansas City Comets]] of the [[MISL I|Major Indoor Soccer League]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/15/sports/sports-people-comings-and-goings.html Sports People]. Nytimes.com (15 August 1985). Retrieved on 29 June 2011.</ref>

Neeskens then played for FC Baar (1988–90) and [[FC Zug]] in Switzerland, finally retiring in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=18 July 2018|date=8 April 2016|language=it|title=Il miglior gregario di sempre: Johan Neeskens, il calciatore totale|url=http://zonacesarini.net/2016/04/08/johan-neeskens/|website=zonacesarini.net}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=12 July 2018|language=fr|title=Neeskens, le métronome de l'Oranje mécanique|url=https://fr.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174796/profile.html|website=fifa.com|archive-date=12 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712124643/https://fr.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174796/profile.html|url-status=dead}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

==International career==
[[File:FC Barcelona op Schiphol, van links naar rechts Neesken Michels en Cruijff op S, Bestanddeelnr 928-7164.jpg|thumb|left|Three of the most notable figures of the ''[[Totaalvoetbal]]'' school: Johan Neeskens, [[Rinus Michels]] and [[Johan Cruyff]] in 1976 ]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-N0716-0315, Fußball-WM, BRD - Niederlande 2-1.jpg|thumb|left|Neeskens scoring the opening goal in the 1974 World Cup [[1974 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] against [[Germany national football team|West Germany]]]]

Neeskens was capped 49 times for the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands national team]], scoring 17 goals. He made his debut against [[East Germany national football team|East Germany]] in 1970, and played a crucial role in the [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]] and [[1978 FIFA World Cup]]s, playing in central midfield.<ref name=telegraph/>

In [[1974 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3|1974 World Cup qualification]], Neeskens scored a [[hat-trick]] in a 9–0 win over [[Norway national football team|Norway]] and also neutralised the attacking threat of [[Paul Van Himst]] against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]; the latter performance was criticised as a "disgrace" in Dutch newspaper ''[[de Volkskrant]]'' for having committed 13 fouls.<ref name=vi>{{cite news |title=Johan Neeskens: keihard en kwetsbaar |url=https://www.vi.nl/pro/johan-neeskens-keihard-en-kwetsbaar |access-date=8 October 2024 |work=Voetbal International |date=7 October 2024 |language=Dutch}}</ref>  At the tournament in West Germany, he scored two penalties against [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]], and a goal in a 2–0 win over reigning champions [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] to put the Netherlands into the final.<ref name=telegraph/> Neeskens scored the opening goal of the 1974 World Cup final against [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] with a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] after only two minutes of play.<ref>{{cite news |title=Johan Neeskens: Dutch legend who scored in World Cup final dies aged 73 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/johan-neeskens-dutch-legend-who-scored-in-world-cup-final-dies-aged-73-t0zp6wrfq |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=[[The Times]] |date=7 October 2023}}</ref>

Four years later, Neeskens was a crucial player for the Netherlands (despite a rib injury suffered in the Scotland defeat), in the absence of Cruyff who had retired from international football in 1977. The Netherlands again reached the final, only to lose again to the host nation, this time [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], going down 3–1 after extra time (the score at the end of regulation was 1–1).<ref name=vi/>

Neeskens's international appearances were fewer in number after he moved to the New York Cosmos. He declined the key [[UEFA Euro 1980]] qualifier against East Germany in November 1979, citing physical and emotional exhaustion.<ref name=vi/> After his nine-month ban for club absences was lifted, he was reintroduced to the national squad by manager [[Kees Rijvers]] in late 1981 for two qualifiers to the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]]. He was cheered in a 3–0 home win over Belgium, but the team lost 2–0 away to [[France national football team|France]] in his final game and missed out on the final tournament.<ref name=vi/>

==Coaching career==
[[Guus Hiddink]] appointed Neeskens as assistant coach for the Netherlands in 1995.<ref name=vi/> They led the team at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name=australia>{{cite news |title=Neeskens takes up Socceroos role |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4566064.stm |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 December 2005}}</ref> He remained in the role under successor [[Frank Rijkaard]], who led the national team in its co-hosting of [[Euro 2000]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rijkaard unites the orange factions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jun/04/euro2000.sport3 |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=4 June 2000}}</ref> In 2000 he was appointed coach of Dutch side [[NEC Nijmegen]], leading them to their first European appearance in twenty years in 2003, but was fired in December 2004  with the team in 14th place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Neeskens sacked by NEC |url=https://www.worldsoccer.com/world-soccer-latest/neeskens-sacked-by-nec-60225 |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=World Soccer |date=13 December 2004}}</ref>

In December 2005, Neeskens was appointed assistant coach of the [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia national team]], once again at the request of Guus Hiddink, the ''Socceroos'''s manager.<ref name=australia/> He worked alongside Hiddink and [[Graham Arnold]] as part of their [[2006 FIFA World Cup|World Cup 2006]] campaign, and was desired by [[Football Australia]] to replace [[Russia national football team|Russia]]-bound Hiddink after the tournament.<ref name=abc>{{cite news |title=Socceroos tried hard to keep Neeskens |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-06-10/socceroos-tried-hard-to-keep-neeskens/1775554 |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=ABC News |date=10 June 2006}}</ref>

After the 2006 World Cup, Neeskens returned to FC Barcelona to replace [[Henk ten Cate]] in the club's technical staff, reuniting with Rijkaard.<ref name=abc/> In May 2008, Rijkaard was dismissed with one year remaining of his contract after finishing third in La Liga, with his assistants Neeskens and [[Eusebio Sacristán]] leaving with him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rijkaard to leave Barcelona |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/rijkaard-to-leave-barcelona-idUSL08446480/ |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=Reuters |date=8 May 2008}}</ref>

Neeskens joined Frank Rijkaard at [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] as his assistant manager in 2009, and left the club alongside Rijkaard in October 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rijkaard parts company with Galatasaray |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rijkaard-parts-company-with-galatasaray-2111587.html |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=The Independent |date=20 October 2010}}</ref> He became the coach of South African club [[Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.|Mamelodi Sundowns]] in 2011. He was sacked in December 2012 with the team second from bottom after 12 games and having lost the League Cup final to [[Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.|Bloemfontein Celtic]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mosimane replaces Neeskens as coach of Mamelodi Sundowns |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20573576 |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2012}}</ref>

==Style of play==
[[File:Ajax_tegen_Standard_Luik_vriendschappelijke_wedstrijd._Kop_Johan_Neeskens_(Aja,_Bestanddeelnr_923-7421.jpg|thumb|Neeskens in 1970, before a friendly game between Ajax and [[Standard Liège]]]]
Speaking of Neeskens, the [[UEFA]] website stated that the "steel-hard midfielder was a tireless runner yet also had nice technique and scored goals, helping to set the stage for Cruyff to shine. A [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box midfielder]] with incredible stamina, great mentality, and a powerful shot, Neeskens excelled at pressuring opponents to regain possession. "He was worth two men in midfield," said teammate [[Sjaak Swart]]."<ref>[https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d7ff54908f6-5927d0a16600-1000--the-greatest-teams-of-all-time-ajax-1971-73/ The greatest teams of all time: Ajax 1971–73]. UEFA.com. Retrieved on 30 October 2015.</ref>

Neeskens had begun his career as a right-back for Heemstede, but was moved into midfield by Ajax manager [[Ștefan Kovács]]. He played in the [[Total Football]] team designed by Kovács's predecessor [[Rinus Michels]], in which players were expected to change position fluidly.<ref name=telegraph/>

==Personal life and death==
Neeskens was married twice: to Marianne Schiphof in 1974 with whom he had a son, and to Swiss-born Marlis von Reding in 1985, with whom he had two daughters and a son.<ref name=vi/><ref name=telegraph/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferrer |first1=Isabel |title=Muere el exfutbolista Johan Neeskens a los 73 años |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2024-10-07/muere-el-exfutbolista-johan-neeskens-a-los-73-anos.html |access-date=7 October 2024 |work=El País |date=7 October 2024 |language=Spanish}}</ref> With another woman he also had a son, [[John Neeskens|John]], whom he never publicly acknowledged and who also became a professional footballer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vissers |first1=Willem |title=John Neeskens, de zoon van: 'Ik ben er alleen maar trots op om Johan als vader te hebben" |trans-title=John Neeskens, son of: “I am just proud to have Johan as my father” |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/john-neeskens-de-zoon-van-ik-ben-er-alleen-maar-trots-op-om-johan-als-vader-te-hebben~b18393ba/ |access-date=23 September 2025 |work=[[de Volkskrant]] |date=10 September 2025 |language=Dutch}}</ref>

Neeskens died while in Algeria on 6 October 2024, at the age of 73.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johan Neeskens (15 september 1951 – 6 oktober 2024) |url=https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/organisatie/berichten/69715/johan-neeskens-15-september-1951-%E2%80%93-6-oktober-2024 |access-date=7 October 2024 |website=KNVB}}</ref> He was in the country as part of a KNVB coaching project, and had suffered a heart attack.<ref name=vi/>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Racing Club Heemstede|RCH]]
|[[1968–69 Eerste Divisie|1968–69]]<ref name="nftstat">{{NFT player|17099|name=Johan Neeskens|accessdate= }}</ref><ref name="wf">{{cite web |title=Johan Neeskens » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe2758/johan-neeskens/club-matches/ |website=worldfootball.net |date=7 October 2024 |access-date=19 October 2024}}</ref>
|[[Eerste Divisie]]
|34||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||0
|-
|[[1969–70 Eerste Divisie|1969–70]]<ref name="nftstat"/><ref name="wf"/>
|Eerste Divisie
|34||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!68!!1!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!70!!1
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
|[[1970–71 Eredivisie|1970–71]]<ref name="wf"/>
|[[Eredivisie]]
|33||1||6||2||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|name=ec|Appearances in [[UEFA European Cup]]}}||2||colspan="2"|–||48||5
|-
|[[1971–72 AFC Ajax season|1971–72]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|28||10||5||2||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|name=ec}}||0||colspan="2"|–||41||12
|-
|[[1972–73 Eredivisie|1972–73]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|32||7||1||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=ec}}||0||3{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]]; two appearance, one goal in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}||1||43||8
|-
|[[1973–74 Eredivisie|1973–74]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|31||14||4||0||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=ec}}||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Super Cup]]}}||1||37||15
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!124!!32!!16!!4!!0!!0!!24!!2!!5!!2!!169!!40
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[1974–75 FC Barcelona season|1974–75]]<ref name="bdf">{{BDFutbol|5160}}</ref>
|[[La Liga]]
|27||7||0||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=ec}}||1||colspan="2"|–||34||8
|-
|[[1975–76 FC Barcelona season|1975–76]]<ref name="bdf"/>
|La Liga
|32||12||0||0||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|name=uc|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||6||colspan="2"|–||41||18
|-
|[[1976–77 FC Barcelona season|1976–77]]<ref name="bdf"/>
|La Liga
|33||8||0||0||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|name=uc}}||1||colspan="2"|–||41||9
|-
|[[1977–78 FC Barcelona season|1977–78]]<ref name="bdf"/>
|La Liga
|18||2||2||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=uc}}||1||colspan="2"|–||27||3
|-
|[[1978–79 FC Barcelona season|1978–79]]<ref name="bdf"/>
|La Liga
|30||6||1||0||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|–||40||6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!140!!35!!3!!0!!0!!0!!40!!9!!0!!0!!183!!44
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[New York Cosmos (1971–1985)|New York Cosmos]]
|[[1979 New York Cosmos season|1979]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|[[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]]
|13||4||||||||||||||5||2||18||6
|-
|[[1980 New York Cosmos season|1980]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|NASL
|17||4||||||||||||||1||0||18||4
|-
|[[1981 New York Cosmos season|1981]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|NASL
|6||2||||||||||||||5||1||11||3
|-
|[[1982 New York Cosmos season|1982]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|NASL
|17||0||||||||||||||1||0||18||0
|-
|[[1983 New York Cosmos season|1983]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|NASL
|23||2||||||||||||||1||0||24||2
|-
|[[1984 New York Cosmos season|1984]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|NASL
|18||5||||||||||||||||||18||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!94!!17!!!!!!!!!!!!!!13!!2!!107!!20
|-
|[[FC Groningen|Groningen]]
|[[1984–85 Eredivisie|1984–85]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||colspan="2"|–||7||0
|-
|[[Fort Lauderdale Sun|South Florida Sun]]
|[[1985 United Soccer League season|1985]]{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
|[[United Soccer League (1984–85)|USL]]
|1||1||||||||||||||||||1||1
|-
|[[Kansas City Comets (1979–91)|Kansas City Comets]]
|[[1985–86 Major Indoor Soccer League season|1985–86]]<ref name="nftstat"/>
|[[Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992)|MISL]]
|23||1||||||||||||||||||23||1
|-
|Löwenbrau
|1986–87
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|-
|rowspan="4"|Baar
|1987–88<ref name="nftstat"/>
|
|9||1||||||||||||||||||9||1
|-
|1988–89<ref name="nftstat"/>
|
|13||4||||||||||||||||||13||4
|-
|1989–90<ref name="nftstat"/>
|
|1||0||||||||||||||||||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!23!!5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!23!!5
|-
|[[Zug 94|Zug]]
|1990–91<ref name="nftstat"/>
|
|1||0||||||||||||||||||||
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!450+!!91+!!21+!!4+!!!!!!64+!!11+!!5+!!2+!!553+!!110+
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/neeskens-intl.html Johan Neeskens – International Appearances]. rsssf.org. Retrieved on 29 June 2011.</ref><ref name= "Voetbalstats">{{cite web|url=https://voetbalstats.nl/spelerlandnedxi.php?persid=362| title= Johan Neeskens - Interlands Nederlands Elftal |language=nl}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
|1970||2||0
|-
|1971||3||0
|-
|1972||4||5
|-
|1973||5||1
|-
|1974||13||9
|-
|1975||3||1
|-
|1976||4||1
|-
|1977||3||0
|-
|1978||8||0
|-
|1979||2||0
|-
|1980||0||0
|-
|1981||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!49!!17
|}

:''Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Neeskens goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Johan Neeskens<ref name = "Voetbalstats" />
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 16 February 1972 || [[Karaiskakis Stadium]], [[Athens]], Greece || {{fb|GRC}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|5–0 || [[Exhibition game#International football|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 30 August 1972 || [[Stadion Letná]], [[Prague]], Czechoslovakia || {{fb|CSK}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || rowspan="3"|1 November 1972 || rowspan="3"|[[De Kuip]], [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands || rowspan="3"|{{fb|NOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center" rowspan="3"|9–0 || rowspan="3"|[[1974 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3|1974 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|4 || align="center"|2–0 
|-
| align="center"|5 || align="center"|4–0 
|-
| align="center"|6 ||29 August 1973 || [[De Adelaarshorst]] [[Deventer]], Netherlands || {{fb|ISL}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|8–1 ||  1974 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|7 ||26 May 1974 || [[Olympic Stadium (Amsterdam)|Olympisch Stadion]], [[Amsterdam]], Netherlands || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–1 ||  Friendly
|-
| align="center"|8 ||rowspan="2"|23 June 1974 || rowspan="2"|[[Westfalenstadion]], [[Dortmund]], Germany || rowspan="2"|{{fb|BUL}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"| 4–1 || rowspan="2"| [[1974 FIFA World Cup Group 3]]
|-
| align="center"|9 || align="center"|2–0 
|-
| align="center"|10 ||30 June 1974 || [[Parkstadion]], [[Gelsenkirchen]], Germany || {{fb|GDR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1974 FIFA World Cup Group A]]
|-
| align="center"|11 ||3 July 1974 || Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany || {{fb|BRA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 1974 FIFA World Cup Group A
|-
| align="center"|12 ||7 July 1974 || [[Olympic Stadium (Munich)|Olympiastadion]], [[Munich]], Germany|| {{fb|FRG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–2 ||  [[1974 FIFA World Cup final]]
|-
| align="center"|13 ||rowspan="2"|4 September 1974 || rowspan="2"|[[Råsunda Stadium]], [[Solna]], Sweden || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SWE}} || align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|5–1 || rowspan="2"| Friendly
|-
| align="center"|14 || align="center"|4–1 
|-
| align="center"|15 ||25 September 1974 || [[Helsinki Olympic Stadium|Olympic Stadium]], [[Helsinki]], Finland || {{fb|FIN}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|3–1 ||  [[UEFA Euro 1976 qualifying Group 5|UEFA Euro 1976 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|16 ||15 October 1975 || Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|POL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 ||  UEFA Euro 1976 qualification
|-
| align="center"|17 ||25 April 1976 || De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|BEL}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|5–0 ||  UEFA Euro 1976 qualification
|}

==Honours==
'''Ajax'''<ref name="nftstat"/><ref name="Honours">{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174796/profile.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305104237/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174796/profile.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 March 2016 | title = The Clockwork Oranje's midfield master | publisher = FIFA | access-date = 26 March 2015 }}</ref>
* [[Eredivisie]]: [[1971–72 Eredivisie|1971–72]], [[1972–73 Eredivisie|1972–73]]
* [[KNVB Cup]]: [[1970–71 KNVB Cup|1970–71]], [[1971–72 KNVB Cup|1971–72]]
* [[European Cup]]: [[1970–71 European Cup|1970–71]], [[1971–72 European Cup|1971–72]], [[1972–73 European Cup|1972–73]]
* [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1972 Intercontinental Cup|1972]]
* [[European Super Cup]]: [[1972 European Super Cup|1972]], [[1973 European Super Cup|1973]]

'''Barcelona'''<ref name="Honours"/>
* [[Copa del Rey]]: [[1977–78 Copa del Rey|1977–78]]
* [[European Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1978–79 European Cup Winners' Cup|1978–79]]

'''New York Cosmos'''<ref name="Honours"/>
*[[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]]: [[Soccer Bowl '80|1980]], [[Soccer Bowl '82|1982]]

'''Netherlands'''<ref name="Honours"/>
*[[FIFA World Cup]] runner-up: [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974]], [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978]]
*[[UEFA European Championship]] third place: [[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]]
*[[Tournoi de Paris]]: 1978<ref>{{cite news|title = 1978 Tournoi de Paris|url = https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/tiparis.html|work = RSSSF|access-date = 28 February 2017}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*''FUWO European Team of the Season'': 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc-supporters.org/fuwo/files/FUWO%201973/FUWO%201973%2002.pdf |website=FCC-Wiki|title=FUWO 1973|access-date=23 April 2024 }}</ref>
*''Sport Ideal European XI'': 1974,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1975/01/01/pagina-30/1005843/pdf.html |website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Sport 1974|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref> 1975<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/unofficial-european-ideal-teams-1971-1980.1985633/ |website=BigSoccer |title=Sport 1975|access-date=4 June 2024 }}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|1974 FIFA World Cup Silver Boot]]<ref name="Honours"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcupbrazil.net/teams/europe/netherlands/|publisher=worldcupbrazil.net|title=Netherlands|access-date=11 July 2014|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211160620/http://www.worldcupbrazil.net/teams/europe/netherlands/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|1974 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |title=FIFA World Cup All-Star Team – Football world Cup All Star Team |publisher=Football.sporting99.com |access-date=28 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630203237/http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |archive-date=30 June 2016 }}</ref>
*[[Don Balón Award]] (La Liga Foreign Player of the Year): 1975–76<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html|website=[[RSSSF]]|title=Spain – Footballer of the Year}}</ref>
*[[Mundo Deportivo|La Liga Team of The Year]]: 1976,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1976/05/21/pagina-16/1009091/pdf.html |website=Hemeroteca – El Mundo Deportivo |title=Mundo Deportivo La Liga Team of the Year|access-date=30 October 2024 }}</ref> 1977,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1977/06/12/pagina-22/1026759/pdf.html |website=Hemeroteca – El Mundo Deportivo |title=Mundo Deportivo La Liga Team of the Year|access-date=30 October 2024 }}</ref> 1979<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1979/06/07/pagina-18/1045776/pdf.html |website=Hemeroteca - El Mundo Deportivo |title=Mundo Deportivo La Liga Team of the Year|access-date=30 October 2024 }}</ref>
*[[FIFA 100]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533833.stm |title=Fifa names greatest list |publisher=BBC |date=4 March 2004 | access-date =30 April 2007}}
</ref>
*[[Ballon d'Or Dream Team]] (Bronze): 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=The other two Ballon d'Or Dream Team XIs: Zidane, Cruyff, Iniesta, Di Stefano... but no Casillas |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |website=[[MARCA]]|date=15 December 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.vi.nl/Spelers/Speler/Johan-Neeskens.htm Johan Neeskens] at [[Voetbal International]] {{in lang|nl}}
* {{BDFutbol|5160}}
* [http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/N/Neeskens.Johan.htm Johan Neesken's USA soccer league stats] at nasljerseys.com
* {{FIFA player|174796}}

{{Navboxes
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| title = Awards
| list1 = 
{{1974 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{1979 NASL All-Stars}}
{{1980 NASL All-Stars}}
{{1982 NASL All-Stars}}
{{1984 NASL All-Stars}}
{{La Liga Foreign Player of the Year}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Ballon d'Or Dream Team}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Netherlands squads
| bg = #F1771D
| fg = white
| list1 = 
{{Netherlands Squad 1974 World Cup}}
{{Netherlands Squad 1976 UEFA Euro}}
{{Netherlands Squad 1978 World Cup}}
}}
{{NEC Nijmegen managers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Neeskens, Johan}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:1974 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1978 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
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[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
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[[Category:Dutch men's footballers]]
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[[Category:NEC Nijmegen managers]]
[[Category:Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Netherlands men's international footballers]]
[[Category:New York Cosmos (1970–1985) players]]
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Heemstede]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1976 players]]
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[[Category:Galatasaray S.K. (football) non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football utility players]]
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[[Category:20th-century Dutch sportsmen]]