Franz Beckenbauer is dead. He died peacefully on Sunday at the age of 78 surrounded by his family. Beckenbauer was the shining light of German football. As a player he won every title and, alongside Mario Zagallo and Didier Deschamps, he was one of three footballers in the world to win the World Cup as a player and coach. In addition, Beckenbauer was responsible for the summer fairy tale of 2006. It was the head of organization of the tournament who brought the World Cup to Germany. Recently things had become quiet around Beckenbauer, who was seriously ill. In Germany and around the globe, the football world, politicians and celebrities reacted with dismay. We have collected some reactions for you.
Uli Hoeneß: “Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest personality FC Bayern has ever had. As a player, coach, president, person: unforgettable. Nobody will ever reach him. People can say they saw football in Franz Beckenbauer’s time. He was a friend to me, a unique companion – and a gift to all of us. Dear Franz, rest in peace!”
DFB sports director Rudi Völler: “I am incredibly sad, the news of his death affects me very much. I consider it one of the great privileges of my life to have known and experienced Franz Beckenbauer.” And national coach Julian Nagelsmann said: “For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history.”
Lothar Matthäus: “The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t feeling well,” the former national soccer player told “Bild”. “His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole,” Matthäus continued. “He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the pitch. Franz was an outstanding personality not only in football, and he enjoyed worldwide recognition. Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was . A good friend has left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him!”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann: “For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history. His interpretation of the role of libero changed the game, this role and his friendship with the ball made him a free man. Franz Beckenbauer was able to walk across the pitch float, as a footballer and later also as a coach he was sublime, he stood above things. When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up, he rightly bore the title of “lighting figure of German football”. An aura surrounded him until the end , which even the health problems and strokes of fate that he had to cope with could not shake it. I am grateful and proud that I was able to get to know him and will remember him fondly.”
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf: “Franz Beckenbauer’s death is a real turning point. We look at his life’s work with respect and great gratitude. With him we are losing a unique footballer and a lovable person. The Kaiser was one of the best players our sport has has ever seen. With his lightness, his elegance and his overview, he set standards on the field. His meticulousness and charisma as a team boss as well as his energy and drive as head of the World Cup OK are unforgettable. Franz Beckenbauer leaves a great legacy for the DFB and football as a whole.”
FC Bayern professional Thomas Müller: “One of the greatest footballers in FC Bayern’s club history has unfortunately left us. Rest in peace, Emperor Franz,” the Munich native wrote on the short message service X. “We will never forget what you did for football Germany has achieved.”
FC Bayern Supervisory Board: Karl-Heinz-Rummenigge: “I am deeply shocked. Franz Beckenbauer rewrote the history of German football and left a lasting impact on it. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and Not only successful in all of these roles, but unique. As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people – because before Franz everyone was equal. German football is losing the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him more than painfully. Thank you for everything, Franz!”
On Monday, Lionel Messi published a black and white photo of Beckenbauer from his time as a national player on the Instagram platform and wrote “QEPD”. The acronym stands for “Que en paz descanses” (May you rest in peace).
Former England international Gary Lineker: “I’m very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. He was one of the greats of our sport. The Emperor was the most beautiful of all footballers, who won everything with grace and charm. Rest in Peace.”
BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke: “Franz Beckenbauer was definitely the greatest German footballer of all time and, on top of that, one of the greatest people I have ever met. Every single experience that I personally had with Franz was wonderful. I can still remember I remember well that I had goosebumps all over my body when he offered me the first name after our German championship in 2010/2011. You can really only bow down to what Franz Beckenbauer has achieved for Germany and German football.”
Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister: “I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of Franz Beckenbauer’s death. He was an exceptional footballer, an exceptional coach and a wonderful person who was loved and respected by everyone who knew him closely. World champion as As a player and as a coach, father of the 2006 summer fairy tale and figurehead of FC Bayern Munich – all of this will remain unforgettable. Franz Beckenbauer was an athlete of the century (…)”.
HSV sports director Jonas Boldt: “For me, Franz Beckenbauer was and is the shining light who gave German football new splendor, new hopes and dreams as world champion coach in 1990. May he rest in peace.”
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin: “The football world mourns the loss of the legendary emperor. His unparalleled versatility, his elegant transitions between defense and midfield, his impeccable ball control and his visionary style redefined the way football was played in his era shaped,” said Ceferin in a statement from the European Football Union.
