Germany and Bayern Munich Legend,Franz Beckenbauer,nicknamed ‘Der Kaiser’ died on January,7 at the age of 78.
He was surrounded by his family when his unfortunate demise took place in his sleep on Sunday.
The legend,Franz Beckenbaurer attained a greater height and achieved many accolades in football at both national and club level.
On the national side,Franz won the World Cup with West Germany as captain in 1974 and as a manager of the German national team in 1990.
Beckenbauer also won the European championship with West Germany in 1972.
On the national side,he had 103 caps for West Germany and scored 14 goals for the Germans with a World Cup and European Championship trophies to his name.
At club level,Beckenbauer is considered a legend for Bayern Munich as Franz helped Bayern to three-peat the European Cup between 1974 to 1976.
He also managed to win four Bundesliga titles for the Bavarians.
At club level,Beckenbauer had a total of 620 games under his belt,with 74 goals and 75 assists to his name.
Not only was Beckenbauer deemed as a great football player,but also as a great football manager.He was able to win some titles for both club and country,including a World Cup for the West Germans,Bundesliga and UEFA Cup.
On a personal level,Franz Beckenbaurer became the first defender to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or,in addition to his career haul of 16 trophies.
Some of the greats of the game and his family have expressed their emotions following his passing,and recounted their fondest memories of the legend,Franz Beckenbauer.
Julian Nagelsmann: “His interpretation of the role of the libero changed the game, this role and his friendship with the ball made him a free man.
Sky Sports News’ Nick Powell:”I think it’s fair to put him up there in the echelons of Bobby Charlton, Diego Maradona, and Johan Cruyff. The really great football names of the last century.
Lothar Matthaus captained Germany’s 1990 World Cup winner”He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field. Franz was an outstanding personality not only in football, and he enjoyed worldwide recognition.
Beckenbauer is one of three men,along with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo – who passed away this month – and France’s Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager,his contribution to football will always be remembered.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.
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Story by:Rabbi Adu Agyei|univers.ug.edu.gh
