The past few years have witnessed the passing away of various soccer all-time greats, such as Brazilian legend Pelé, Argentinean icon Diego Maradona, Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton, and Bayern Munich legend and German veteran Gerd Müller, among global icons.
Amidst these esteemed figures, another legend, Franz Beckenbauer, bid farewell at 78 on Monday. Renowned as ‘Der Kaiser,’ the emperor leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the sport. As the world unites to offer heartfelt tributes to Beckenbauer on his farewell, his impact on the game resonates across the globe.
Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer dies at 78
Franz Beckenbauer, a pioneer of the modern-day center-back style of play, garnered acclaim for seamlessly blending ball-playing ability with world-class defending. Recognized as one of the finest players to have ever graced the pitch in the sport’s history, the German icon left an indelible mark.
He earned 104 caps for West Germany, leading them to two major international titles – the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974, respectively. Moreover, with his club Bayern Munich, Franz Beckenbauer achieved a remarkable feat by winning the European Cups three times in successive hat-tricks.
The former defender experienced immense success as a player and enjoyed a prosperous post-retirement career as a manager. He took charge of clubs such as Bayern Munich, Marseille, and the German national team, and also served as a technical director and president of the Bavarians.
Most recently, he held the position of FIFA vice president and was serving as the honorary president at the Allianz Arena.
The passing away of the German icon was confirmed by his family members in an official statement that read, “It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, surrounded by his family. We ask for the space to mourn in silence and request not to be disturbed by any questions.”
All of Franz Beckenbauer’s notable achievements
In his playing career, Franz Beckenbauer won the prestigious Ballon d’Or accolade twice, in 1972 and 1976. During his time with Bayern Munich, he lifted four league titles and clinched the German Cup on four occasions alongside three consecutive Champions League trophies.
Additionally, he was honored as Germany’s Footballer of the Year four times, with Germany he had won the World Cup and Euro.
In his coaching career, Beckenbauer achieved equal success. Franz became only the third individual ever to win the World Cup trophy both as a player and a manager, leading his country as the head coach in the 1990 World Cup. He also managed both Bayern Munich and Marseille to league titles.
