German football icon Franz Beckenbauer, affectionately known as ‘Der Kaiser,’ has passed away at the age of 78 in his family home, as confirmed by his family.
Beckenbauer, a true legend of the sport, earned the Ballon d’Or twice and secured the World Cup title both as the captain of West Germany in 1974 and later as a manager in 1990. He holds the distinction of being one of only three individuals to achieve this feat of winning the prestigious tournament both as a player and a manager. Additionally, he triumphed in the European Championship in 1972.
His family, announcing the sad news to the German news agency DPA, stated, “It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, surrounded by his family,” as reported by BBC.
FC Bayern, Germany’s most successful football club, expressed their sorrow, saying, “The world of FC Bayern is no longer what it used to be — suddenly darker, quieter, poorer. Bayern would never have become the club it is today.”
A tribute from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) on their official account acknowledged, “‘Der Kaiser’ was an extraordinary player, successful coach, and popular pundit who shaped German football like no other.”
Beckenbauer made 103 appearances for the West Germany national team, winning four league titles. He served as captain for Bayern Munich, guiding the club to three European Cup victories in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Additionally, he claimed the Bundesliga title with Hamburg in 1982.
Post his tenure with Bayern, Beckenbauer played for the New York Cosmos, alongside Brazilian legend Pele, contributing significantly to the expansion of the North American Soccer League. Despite having no prior managerial experience, he retired as a player in 1983 and was appointed as the manager of West Germany less than a year later.
The football community mourns the loss of a true icon, with Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, describing Beckenbauer as “a legend of German and world football.”
