BERLIN: Germany’s one of the greatest football players, Franz Beckenbauer died at the age of 78 on Monday, western media reported.
Beckenbauer captained the German team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1974. He was also the manager of the team that won the World Cup in 1990.
He was a dominant, classy, player for West Germany and Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a post on social media platform Instagram called Beckenbauer a legend of German and world football.
He said the late footballer was a friend of football and a true legend and will never be forgotten.
"A legend of German and world football."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has paid tribute to Franz Beckenbauer, who sadly passed away at the age of 78.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 8, 2024
Beckenbauer throughout the career collected 103 caps for West Germany, including the 1972 European championship and then the World Cup in the home ground.
His Bayern Munich team was the best club in the world during the mid-1970s, that clinched three successive European Cups and three successive Bundesliga titles.
He was twice named European footballer of the year.
Beckenbauer, was nicknamed Der Kaiser, was one of three men to have won the World Cup as player and coach.
