I'm sorry to have to tell you that Johan Neeskens, who was one of the midfield stars of the Netherlands' "Clockwork Orange" teams of the 1970s, alongside Johan Cruyff, has passed away at 73.

The KNVB said on Monday that Neeskens passed away the previous day in Algeria, where he was taking part in a coaching project it had organised. We don't know yet what caused his death.

"It's tough to find the words to describe the scale and speed of this loss," the KNVB said in a statement on its website. Our thoughts are with his wife Marlis, his children, his family and his friends at this sad time.

Johan Neeskens was one of the standout players for the Netherlands in the 1970s. "The world is saying goodbye to a gifted sportsman, but above all, to a kind, driven, and wonderful person."

He scored from the penalty spot to give his team an early 1-0 lead in the 1974 showpiece, but the Netherlands, known for their fluent brand of "total football", went on to lose 2-1 to West Germany in Munich.

"The most beautiful football doesn't always win," he said later, according to the KNVB. "It's incredible that people all over the world still talk about that Dutch team." "The best and most beautiful football, total football."

Neeskens was on the team again four years later when the Dutch came close to winning the World Cup. They lost 3-1 to the hosts, Argentina, after extra time in Buenos Aires.

Neeskens played 49 times for the Netherlands, including 12 at World Cups, and scored 17 goals.

Neeskens won the European Cup, the forerunner of the Champions League, three times as part of the dominant Ajax team of the early '70s and went on to play for Barcelona and then the New York Cosmos, among other teams.

I'm really sorry to hear about Johan Neeskens. We're sending our thoughts and sympathies to his family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, legend.