The man considered the best German soccer player of all time, Franz Beckenbauer, has died at the age of 78. He was accompanied by his loved ones after spending several months in a delicate state of health. He was the first defender to win two Ballon d'Ors, in addition to being a champion as a player in the 1974 World Cup and Euro 1972 and as coach of the German team in the 1990 World Cup.
Nicknamed “The Kaiser,” Beckenbauer not only left his mark on German soccer, but also on the World Cup, which is why he is also considered one of the best players of all time. Until his death, he served as honorary president of the team for which he played most of his career, Bayern Munich.
With the German club, he won most of the trophies in his career. He was champion of the Bundesliga, Germany's first division, four times and won four German Cups. The league paid tribute to Beckenbauer and with a post on X (formerly Twitter):
The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser. 👑🕊 pic.twitter.com/zE2CcggVNd
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 8, 2024
At the European level, he won three European Cups with Bayern Munich and one Intercontinental Cup. With Hamburg SV, the second German team he played for, he was Bundesliga champion in the 1981-1982 season.
His time in the United States
American fans also enjoyed Beckenbauer's play for several seasons. The German legend played for the New York Cosmos from 1977 to 1980. In the 1982-1983 season, he returned to the Cosmos, where he would conclude his playing career.
With the American team, he won three North American Soccer League (NASL) titles and scored 19 goals in 105 games.
