Franz Beckenbauer Cause of Death and Obituary: What Happened to German Football Legend?
The world of football is mourning the loss of one of its greatest icons, Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, aged 78. His family announced the sad news in a statement to the German news agency DPA. The cause of death was not disclosed, but Beckenbauer had been suffering from various health issues in recent years, including a heart bypass surgery in 2016 and a kidney transplant in 2019.
Beckenbauer, affectionately known as the Kaiser (the Emperor), was a legend both on and off the pitch. He was one of the only three men to win the FIFA World Cup as a player and a coach, along with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and France’s Didier Deschamps. He also won the Ballon d’Or twice, the European Championship once, and numerous domestic and continental titles with Bayern Munich and New York Cosmos.
Franz Beckenbauer – A Revolutionary Player
Franz Anton Beckenbauer was born in Munich on September 11, 1945, and grew up in the working-class district of Giesing. He joined Bayern Munich as a youth player in 1959 and made his debut for the senior team in 1964. He initially played as a midfielder, but soon switched to the sweeper role, where he revolutionized the game with his elegant style, vision, and leadership. He was the master of the libero, a free-roaming defender who could initiate attacks from the back and join the forward line.
German legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away today aged 78.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
RIP, Franz. 👑🕊️ pic.twitter.com/IwdSA5KaiT
Beckenbauer was the captain and the inspiration of the Bayern Munich team that dominated German and European football in the 1970s. He won four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, and three consecutive European Cups with the Bavarian club. He also played for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League from 1977 to 1980 and 1983, winning three titles and helping to popularize the sport in the United States.
Beckenbauer was equally successful with the West Germany national team, earning 103 caps and scoring 14 goals. He led his country to the World Cup glory in 1974, when they hosted the tournament and defeated the Netherlands in the final. He also won the European Championship in 1972, and finished as the runner-up in the 1966 and 1976 World Cups. He was named the best young player of the 1966 World Cup, where he famously marked England’s Bobby Charlton in the final, and the best player of the 1974 World Cup, where he lifted the trophy in front of his home crowd.
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A Successful Coach
After retiring as a player, Franz Beckenbauer turned to coaching and continued his winning ways. He took charge of the West Germany national team in 1984 and guided them to the World Cup triumph in 1990, becoming the first person to win the tournament as a captain and a coach. He also led his team to the final of the 1986 World Cup and the semi-final of the 1988 European Championship.
Beckenbauer later coached Olympique Marseille, Bayern Munich, and the German national team again, but with less success. He also served as the president of Bayern Munich from 1994 to 2009 and from 2014 to 2016, overseeing the club’s rise to become one of the most powerful and successful in the world. He was also a key figure in Germany’s bid to host the 2006 World Cup, which was widely praised as a successful and memorable event.
A Controversial Figure
Despite his achievements and popularity, Beckenbauer was not without controversy. He faced allegations of corruption and tax evasion in relation to the 2006 World Cup bid, which he denied. He was also banned by FIFA for 90 days in 2014 for failing to cooperate with an investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the FIFA ethics committee, but his reputation was tarnished by the scandals.
Franz Beckenbauer was also criticized for his views on some social and political issues, such as his support for Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, his opposition to gay marriage, and his comments on women’s football. He was accused of being out of touch with the modern world and the values of the sport he loved.
I don't care what anyone says Germany have no choice but to win the Euros to honor Franz Beckenbauer. I want to see the players’ best NT performances of their lives pic.twitter.com/MUmnDE8Nbn
— L.Prince 👑 (@LeroyPrince77) January 8, 2024
A Legacy to Remember
Despite his flaws and controversies, Beckenbauer will always be remembered as one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of football. He was a pioneer, a leader, and a champion, who left an indelible mark on the game with his skill, style, and charisma. He was admired and respected by his peers, his fans, and his rivals, and he inspired generations of players and coaches to follow his footsteps.
Beckenbauer received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to football, including the FIFA Order of Merit, the UEFA President’s Award, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, and the German Footballer of the Year. He was also named in the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players, the World Team of the 20th Century, and the FIFA World Cup Dream Team. He was voted as the second greatest German sportsman of the 20th century, behind only Formula One driver Michael Schumacher.
Franz Beckenbauer is survived by his wife Heidi Beckenbauer, his five children, and his nine grandchildren. His funeral will be held in Munich on Friday, and a memorial service will be held at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, before Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund. The German Football Association and the Bundesliga have announced that all matches this weekend will observe a minute of silence and wear black armbands in his honor.
Beckenbauer’s death is a huge loss for football and for Germany, but his legacy will live on forever. He was the Kaiser of football, and he will always be remembered as such. Rest in peace, Franz.
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