2024-02-16 08:59:55
Foto: 360b | Shutterstock
Text: Hugo León
The legendary German defender Franz Beckenbauer, considered among the best footballers in history, died on Sunday, January 7, at the age of 78, according to the German Football Federation.
The news, confirmed by the athlete’s family, saddens the German fans and their followers around the world, as well as football lovers in general. The greatest figure in German football has died, and just the fact of being considered like this in a country with so many stars and glories of that sport is enough to understand its magnitude.
Beckenbauer, nicknamed “Der Kaiser†(the Emperor), savored triumph with his team, in every possible way: He was world champion as a player in 1974 and then as a coach in 1990.
He took the old European Cup with Bayern Munich to his showcases; won a European Championship with Germany; He held two Ballon d’Or awards (1972 and 1976)… enough achievements to support the nickname.
The player had health problems that kept him away from the public scene for some years and now, after his death, many clubs, teams and players come together to remember and honor the legend.
“His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole. “He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field,” Bild quoted Lothar Matthaus, captain of the German team led by Beckenbauer that won the 1990 World Cup.
With ‘Die Mannschaft’ he exuded talent, elegance and leadership that earned him the choice of best player of the year four times, and not in vain: in addition to his ability with the ball, he was known for his versatility that allowed him perform as a midfielder or central defender, both with great skill.
A born defensive leader and with great ability to organize the game, Der Kaiser left an indelible mark on the history of German and world football.
His last active years as a soccer player were spent in Hamburg, where he won the league, and in the Cosmos New York, a team with which he also made history: he and Pelé led the franchise to win three championships.