Tribute to Johan Neeskens in Colombia and Morocco

In Colombia, Johan Neeskens was remembered during a Legends Match. - Foto: KNVB Media

Tributes have been paid to Johan Neeskens in Colombia and Morocco. As ambassador of WorldCoaches, the former international visited both countries on several occasions. Neeskens died unexpectedly on 6 October. He turned 73 years old.

WorldCoaches students in Colombia gave Neeskens an impressive farewell during a Legends Match in the city of Medellín. Especially for this match, cooperation partner Fundación Selección Colombia had a T-shirt designed by a local street artist. The shirt was worn by the trainees during the minute's silence.

Neeskens set foot in Colombia for the first time in January 2022, in the capital Bogota. In fluent Spanish - with Catalan accent - he taught 75 young coaches from disadvantaged neighborhoods how to use soccer as a tool for social purposes. He later made five more visits to Colombia.

This month, Neeskens would visit Medellín for a special WorldCoaches course, which was dedicated to 30 years of Soccer for Peace. A process started in 1994 in response to the murder of Colombian international Andrés Escobar. That sad event set much in motion in the country. In that context, Neeskens was also supposed to come to Medellín, to make coaches aware of how soccer can contribute to one's personal development, despite the challenges of the living environment.

Unfortunately, it was not to come that far. Instead, Neeskens was honored during the Legends Match. Here, one of Neeskens' former trainees spoke beautiful words about the ex-international. “For all of us, Johan was more: not just that friend who told you a story about when he played. Not just that star on the field. Not just the team leader who was always key in the game. Not just that teacher who corrected and trained you, who guided and taught you, who was always looking to make you the best coach. To everyone Johan was one and to all of us he was even more. His legacy and what he taught us will always be part of everything we do.”

Morocco

Besides Colombia, Neeskens was a welcome guest in Morocco. Here, too, he left a lasting impression during WorldCoaches courses at various locations. As a tribute, cooperation partner Tibu Africa named a newly constructed field in Médiouna after Johan Neeskens. On Wednesday, November 13, the field was officially opened in the presence of representatives of the KNVB, local partner Tibu Africa and the Dutch ambassador to Morocco.

In the neighborhood where the field is located there are few safe places for children to play sports. The Johan Neeskens pitch will not only be a place for children to play, but they can also learn and develop themselves on a personal level, under the guidance of WorldCoaches. This continues Neeskens' legacy.

Adil, one of the youngsters who worked with Neeskens recalls: “Working with Johan Neeskens was an honor. He taught me more than just how to play soccer. Thanks to him, I have more self-confidence and want to use soccer to change lives.”

In memoriam Johan Neeskens (1951 – 2024)