In the early morning of the 9th, there was bad news in German football, Franz Beckenbauer, known as the "Emperor of Football", passed away on January 7, 2024 local time at the age of 78, and there is no news about the cause of his death. However, based on the previous news from foreign media, in fact, his physical condition has not been ideal in recent years, especially after 2019, he has rarely appeared in the public eye. The first German footballer in the history of the German team to win the World Cup with the team as captain and head coach has completed his brilliant life, bidding farewell to Beckenbauer, and there is no "football emperor" in football.
Beckenbauer was born in Munich, Germany in September 1945, and when he was young, he showed a different football talent from his peers, although his family did not agree with him to engage in football-related work, but at the age of 18, the young Beckenbauer officially started his football era as a professional player at Bayern Munich. Interestingly, Beckenbauer, who just started playing, actually played as a midfielder, and he played for many years. In the 1966 World Cup in England, the 21-year-old Beckenbauer appeared in the attacking midfielder position, and performed well, after a major tournament, he not only scored 4 goals, 2 assists, but also completed 17 tackles and 33 interceptions, he was able to attack and defend well, and finally entered the World Cup best team, and was also named the best newcomer.
Perhaps it was the recognition of the coach that inspired him to have more potential, or he himself had the attributes of that kind of all-rounder, in the following years, he was no longer confined to a certain position in the midfield, but ran all over the field, it can be said that Baerbauer can be seen in every corner of the field, which is also considered to be the prototype of the "free man" style of play in football, it can be said that he opened a new era, and Beckenbauer himself is the best synonym for "free man".
In the 1970 World Cup, the 25-year-old Beckenbauer still appeared in the squad as a midfielder, but after the whistle blew, you will find that he can contribute to the tandem organization and defensive blocking, an impressive picture of the World Cup is that in the semi-finals against Italy, Beckenbauer, who dislocated his right shoulder, played extra time with a bandage, although the team finally missed the final, but his glorious image of desperate Saburo still impressed and praised countless people.
After two World Cups, Beckenbauer continued to grow and took over the captain's armband in 1971, before he stepped back in the years since, officially appearing as a free man and scavenger. And his performance was perfect. In the 1972 European Championship, he led the team to win the championship as captain, and in the World Cup two years later, facing the strong rival Netherlands, Beckenbauer finally led the team to win the cup, and at the same time, he realized his dream of being on top of the world, and also became the first player in the history of the World Cup to be selected for the best team of the World Cup for three consecutive times.
At club level, Beckenbauer has also left a legacy. During his 13 years at Bayern, Beckenbauer led the team to four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, and three consecutive Champions League titles from 73 to 75. In addition, he won a Bundesliga title during his later career with Hamburg. Even during his time in Major League Soccer, he won three league titles and three cup titles with the New York Universe. It can be said that his football career has never lacked championships.
It is worth mentioning that after retiring from the army in 1982 and turning into a coach, he also achieved achievements that many people could not achieve. He coached the German national team from 1984 to 1990, leading the team to win the 1990 World Cup, and he is also the second person after Brazilian legend Zagallo to win the World Cup as both captain and coach. In addition, Beckenbauer has coached Marseille and his former club Bayern Munich, both of which have won league titles.
On the 8th local time, Beckenbauer's wife confirmed the news of the death of the "Football Emperor" in an interview: "It is with deep sadness that we announce with deep sadness that Franz Beckenbauer, the father of my husband and children, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday in the company of his family. We ask that you mourn in silence and do not ask any questions. In fact, his physical condition has not been satisfactory in the past few years, especially after 2019, he has rarely appeared in the public eye. Previously, Beckenbauer's younger brother and Mateus said in interviews that he was not in good health.
With the death of Beckenbauer, so far, the "five elders of the palace" in football have all passed away. The other four are Di Stefano, who died of a heart attack on July 7, 2014 (Cruyff, who died of lung cancer on March 24, 88) (Maradona, who died of a sudden heart attack on November 25, 68, and Pele (82), who died of multiple organ failure caused by colon cancer on December 30, 2014.
Author: Zhang Kunlong, **Beiqing Sports).