Franz Beckenbauer: "Emperor" of world football, legend of legends

Franz Beckenbauer is a late German football player and coach. During his playing career, he was nicknamed Der Kaiser ("The Emperor") because of his elegant style, prominence, and leadership on the field.

On the morning of January 9 (Vietnam time), the football world expressed condolences after the news that legendary Franz Beckenbauer passed away at the age of 78. Information about Franz Beckenbauer's death was sent by his family to Germany's DPA news agency with the following content: content:

"We are deeply saddened to announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep... We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and without asking any questions".

Beckenbauer's health has gradually declined since his son Stephan passed away in 2015. Since then, he has been battling Parkinson's disease (dementia). Along with that, he also underwent two heart surgeries and once had to have an artificial hip implant. In 2019, he also lost sight in one eye.

The passing of legendary Franz Beckenbauer brought much grief to the football world. He is considered one of the greatest legends of this sport. If Pele is called the "King of Football", then Beckenbauer is called the "Emperor", not only of German football, but also of world football. He is one of the greatest defenders in history, having played 582 matches for Bayern Munich and won Germany's top league as both a player and a coach.

Franz Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945. Franz Beckenbauer was born at a time when Germany was in ruins after World War II. He was born in the city of Munchen, the second son of a postal worker father and a mother named Hupfauf. Famous since he was a player, Beckenbauer later became a talented and experienced German coach. Franz Beckenbauer started playing soccer during his school year. His first team was "Munich 1906". As a football player Franz Beckenbauer played in several clubs.

Beckenbauer's nickname was "der Kaiser", which is German for emperor. There are many theories related to this nickname. As a coach, the German teacher often dresses very politely, has an elegant style and demonstrates skillful leadership. His name Franz is also associated with the Austrian royal family. However, most people believe that Beckenbauer was called the Emperor because of his excellent football ability and ability to command his teammates right from his time as a player.

Very few people will disagree when saying Beckenbauer is the greatest German player in history. Not only that, he is also one of the few legends standing at the highest level of world football. Beckenbauer can play in many different positions. He started his career as a midfielder, but later became famous when he created the Libero position (sweeper) and played in this position. Beckenbauer won the Golden Ball twice in 1972 and 1976. At this time, the Golden Ball title was only limited to Europe.

Franz Beckenbauer will always have a place in world football history, in addition to popularizing the role of libero to help Bayern Munich become a force in German football, he is also one of only three individuals to win the World Cup. as a player and coach.

Beckenbauer led West Germany to win the World Cup on home soil in 1974, when they beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the final in Munich. He repeated the feat as coach when he led West Germany to defeat Argentina 1-0 in the 1990 final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

It made him one of three people to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. The other two are Didier Deschamps of France and Mario Zagallo of Brazil, who died last week.

Beckenbauer is an excellent player, he has made the perfect transition from striker, midfielder to defender. He has a very sharp eye for goal, as well as a tendency to pass the ball quickly forward from his own half to turn defense into attack.

Beckenbauer's greatest glory came in West Germany in 1974 when he faced the genius captain Johan Cruyff of the Netherlands in the final. The Dutch were the favorites in their "Total Football" era, but West Germany fought back from a Johan Neeskens penalty to win 2-1.

His elegance as a footballer, coupled with his statuesque demeanor as a statesman, made Beckenbauer one of football's greatest figures.

There was a rare disappointment near the end of his international career, when West Germany unexpectedly lost to Czechoslovakia on penalties in the 1976 European Championship final, a shootout decided by Antonin Panenka's famous penalty, which has gone down in football history.

Beckenbauer debuted for the German team in September 1965, had 103 caps for the team and scored 14 goals. His name was synonymous with the team's fortunes.

In the club shirt, Beckenbauer was elected captain of Bayern for the 1968-1969 season and that season he helped them win their first Bundesliga championship. He also won the 1967 European Cup with Bayern in Nuremberg.

Beckenbauer joined Pele and Moore in America, where he enjoyed great success playing alongside the iconic Brazilian for the New York Cosmos. He won the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1977, 1978 and 1980.

Beckenbauer's position was guaranteed after leaving the field, he became president of Bayern and also vice president of the German Football Association (DFB), helping them win the right to host the 2006 World Cup. If football Germany wanted an ambassador and leader, so Beckenbauer was the only choice.

However, there was controversy when Beckenbauer was one of four people investigated for suspected corruption related to the tournament. In 2020, the trial ended without a verdict. As a player and coach, Beckenbauer's reputation was forged, one of football's most important and important figures on and off the field.