MADRID, 8 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The world of football has mourned the death of the “legendary” former German footballer Franz Beckenbauer, who died this Monday at the age of 78, an “elegant” and “visionary” footballer and considered by all as “one of the football greats of all time.” “.
Bayern Munich, the club where he spent almost his entire career (1963-77), assured that his world has become “darker, quieter and poorer” after his death. “The German champion is mourning the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, the one and only 'Kaiser', without whom FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today,” he noted.
The president of the Bavarian club, Herbert Hainer, expressed his sadness at the death. “There are no words to express how great our pain is and the void that Franz Beckenbauer leaves behind. The FC Bayern family is eternally grateful to him and I, personally, mourn the loss of a friend,” he acknowledged.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said that this “is one of the saddest days in the history of this club.” “The story of FC Bayern and German football cannot be told without Franz Beckenbauer. We mourn the loss of one of the great figures of this country. His influence on FC Bayern was incomparable. Whether as a player, coach or president, Franz Beckenbauer “He had no rival in everything he did. He will always be remembered and will remain in our hearts as the only 'Kaiser' of German football,” he stressed.
For his part, the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, also joined the expressions of regret. “The world of football mourns the loss of the legendary 'Kaiser'. His incomparable versatility, his elegant transitions between defense and midfield, his impeccable ball control and his visionary style transformed the way football was played in his time” , he indicated.
“His leadership skills shined as captain of the national team and Bayern Munich during their most successful periods, and continued to shine in his coaching career. Beckenbauer's legacy as one of the all-time football greats “It is indisputable. Goodbye to a true legend,” he added.
Meanwhile, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, highlighted the “humility” of the 'Kaiser'. “Franz Beckenbauer, a legend of German and world football, has achievements and triumphs that will go down in history and yet, despite all his popularity, the 'Kaiser' always remained humble and down to earth. He was the first captain to lift the current FIFA World Cup trophy in 1974 and also won the tournament as team leader in 1990. His death is a painful loss for German and world football,” he said.
“Football fans all over the world will remember him. Especially the fans of the German national team and Bayern Munich, with whom he celebrated so many successes. He was a great companion to me at many meetings of the UEFA Executive Committee and gladly shared with me his knowledge of football. A great person, a friend of football, champion and true legend, dear Franz will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with his family, his friends and the German Football Federation, to whom I express my deepest condolences.” , he continued.
The president of the German Football Federation (DFB), Bernd Neuendorf; the director of the national team, Rudi Völlert; and the German coach, Julian Nagelsmann, also paid tribute to the national football icon.
“The death of Franz Beckenbauer is a true turning point. We remember his life's work with respect and great gratitude. With him we have lost a unique footballer and an endearing person. The 'Kaiser' was one of the best players who ever seen our sport. With his lightness, his elegance and his overall vision, he set standards on the field of play. His meticulousness and charisma as a coach and his energy and drive as head of the World Cup organizing committee are unforgettable. Franz Beckenbauer leaves a great legacy to the DFB and football as a whole,” said Neuendorf.
Völler, for his part, confessed his “infinite sadness” over his death. “I consider it one of the great privileges of my life to have known and lived with Franz Beckenbauer. Our time together with the national team was crowned with the 1990 World Cup title in Rome, a title that would never have been possible without his extraordinary training. “The 'Kaiser' was an inspiration for more than a generation, and will forever remain the shining light of German football. With Franz Beckenbauer, German football has lost its greatest personality and I have lost a good friend,” he explained.
“For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history. His interpretation of the role of the libero changed the game, this role and his friendship with the ball made him a free man. Franz Beckenbauer could float around the field, like “As a footballer and later as a coach, he was sublime, he was above everything. When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, it lit up,” said Nagelsmann.