World Football Legend Passes Away: Franz Beckenbauer Dies at the Age of 78
On Sunday, January 7, at the age of 78, legendary football player Franz Beckenbauer passed away due to Alzheimer's disease. The Guardian reports that Beckenbauer, also known as Der Kaiser, was one of the three individuals to win the FIFA World Cup both as a player and as a coach.
Born on September 11, 1945, in Munich, Franz Beckenbauer is often credited with inventing the role of the football libero (free defender). Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of the 20th century, he was twice named the European Footballer of the Year and received the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. He played in three World Cup tournaments, amassing 103 appearances for the West German national team, becoming the first German player to reach over a hundred international caps.
Beckenbauer achieved success with the German national team, winning the UEFA European Championship in 1972 and the FIFA World Cup in 1974. In his club career, he won the UEFA European Cup thrice, secured one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and clinched the German championship five times.
Transitioning seamlessly from player to coach, Beckenbauer led the German national team to victory in the 1990 World Cup. He also achieved success at the club level, winning the French championship with Olympique de Marseille and the German championship with Bayern Munich, along with the UEFA Cup.
In the new millennium, Beckenbauer took on administrative roles in football, overseeing Germany's preparations for hosting the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, in the latter half of the 2010s, his reputation was tarnished by allegations of corruption. Specifically, he was accused of accepting a bribe of €1.5 million for supporting Russia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Beckenbauer consistently denied all such accusations.
In March 2017, the 71-year-old Beckenbauer was questioned by Swiss prosecutors regarding corruption suspicions related to the 2006 World Cup held in Germany. However, the legal proceedings against him concluded without a verdict in April 2020.
Franz Beckenbauer stands out not only as a brilliant player and accomplished coach but also as a pioneer in football's commercial realm. As early as 1966, he featured in a promotional clip for German television, endorsing Knorr's meatball soups. Subsequently, he became the face of various brands, including BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Atari computers, Coca-Cola beverages, Warsteiner beer, and many others.
Overall, Franz Beckenbauer is remembered as a shining player and skilled coach who made an extraordinary contribution to the development and popularization of football worldwide.