This Friday at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich said goodbye to Franz Beckenbauer, one of the best football players in history, who died on January 7 at the age of 78.
The ceremony featured several speeches, musical moments and videos dedicated to the Kaiser, and was attended by many football figures, including FIFA presidents Gianni Infantino and UEFA Aleksandar Ceferin.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was also present, as were Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain leaders Nasser al-Khelaifi or Emilio Butragueno, the Real Madrid legend.
Also present in the stands of the Allianz Arena were former world champions and Bavarian club glories such as Paul Breitner, Günter Netzer, Lothar Matthäus, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Andreas Brehme, Rudi Völler or the Frenchman Bixente Lizarazu.
“Dear Franz, 12 days have passed since you died and, frankly, I miss you terribly. Rest in peace,” said Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeneß.
Tributes to Beckenbauer were also paid in the presence of many anonymous fans (about 25,000 in the stands) who wanted to join in this celebration of one who has gone down in history as the best libero “of all time”.
“Kaiser”, as he became known by his respectful nickname, won the world title with Germany as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990. This feat was also achieved by Mario Zagallo (who died two days earlier). Beckenbauer) from Brazil and Didier Deschamps from France.
The former defender and midfielder earned 103 caps for Germany (14 goals) and won the 1972 European Championship as captain of the then RFA.
Beckenbauer also won the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976 as Europe’s best player and won the European Cup three times with Bayern Munich, as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
While still a footballer, he won the Bundesliga four times with Bayern Munich and was also the German champion with Hamburg.
In addition to leading the team, he also coached French side Marseille and Bayern Munich, leading the Munich team to Bundesliga triumph in the 1993/94 season.
Beckenbauer was also president of Bayern Munich from 1994 to 2009.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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