Franz Beckenbauer in 2006. picture alliance

German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer dies at age 78

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 1/8/24

German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age of 78.

Beckenbauer’s family sent a statement to a German news agency to confirm the news.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,” the family said in a statement.

Nicknamed “Der Kaiser,” Beckenbauer is regarded as one of the greatest figures in soccer history. He is one of nine players to win the FIFA World Cup (1974), the European Champions Cup (1972), and the Ballon d’Or (1972, 1976). He is one of just three people to have won the World Cup as both a player and coach, as he led Germany to the World Cup win in 1990 as a manager.

Beckenbauer was a star player for Bayern Munich and later Hamburger SV. He won five Bundesliga titles and four German cups during his career at the club level. He was recognized for reinventing the sweeper position.

Many people sent their tributes to Beckenbauer via X.

It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser pic.twitter.com/32p8T2rEkI

— Sir Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) January 8, 2024

Suddenly, our world isn’t the same as it once was — darker, quieter and worse off. The record champions are mourning the loss of Franz Beckenbauer, the incomparable ‘Kaiser’ without who FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today.

Rest in peace, Kaiser.

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 8, 2024

German legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away today aged 78.

RIP, Franz. pic.twitter.com/IwdSA5KaiT

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024

Franz Beckenbauer: a football poet, gracefully weaving his artistry into the romantic fabric of the beautiful game.

, , . pic.twitter.com/LE02O4hVpy

— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) January 8, 2024