Franz Anton Beckenbauer, also known as "Der Kaiser", was born on September 11, 1945, in Munich, Germany. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most underrated football players of all time. His professional football career spanned from 1964 to 1983.
As a player, Beckenbauer was versatile, starting out as a midfielder and making his name as a central defender. He is often credited with inventing the role of the modern sweeper, or libero. In fact, his grace, power, range of passing, and leadership qualities marked him out as a natural midfielder, then later as one of the foremost sweepers in defense. In addition to this, he was named twice European Footballer of the Year and appeared 103 times for West Germany, playing in three FIFA World Cups and two European Championships. Furthermore, he was one of only nine individuals to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Champions Cup, and the Ballon d’Or.
At the club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976. This achievement made him the first player to win three European Cups as his club captain. He also won four German championships with Bayern Munich and one with Hamburger SV, as well as three American championships with the New York Cosmos.
On the international stage, Der Kaiser won the FIFA World Cup as a captain in 1974 and repeated this feat as a coach in 1990. Notably, he is one of three men, along with Brazil's Mário Zagallo and France's Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a coach. Additionally, this phenomenal player won the European Championship in 1972 and was a finalist in 1976.
After his playing career, Beckenbauer embarked on a successful coaching career, winning the 1990 World Cup with the German national team. He managed two clubs: Olympique de Marseille and Bayern Munich. In fact, coaches worldwide draw inspiration from his journey -from the pitch to the dugout- and continue to emulate his principles of excellence.
Nevertheless, Der Kaiser passed away on January 7, 2024, at the age of 78, in Salzburg, Austria, due to natural causes, as announced by his family in a note sent to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. A memorial service was held at Allianz Arena on January 19, 2024, where fans, fellow players, and admirers gathered to pay their respects. Moreover, the stadium, which has witnessed so many of this legend’s triumphs, became a place of reflection and celebration of his remarkable life.
In conclusion, Franz Beckenbauer left an indelible mark on global football. He was named on various all-time dream teams, including the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players. His versatility on the field, his leadership, his tactical innovations as a captain and coach, and his impact on the game have made him a true legend of football. His death in 2024 was a great loss to the world of football, but his legacy extends beyond trophies, and continues to inspire future generations of footballers.