SUMMARY
- Franz Beckenbauer is one of soccer's greatest players and defenders.
- The Bayern Munich legend recently passed away at the age of 78.
Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at the age of 78, as confirmed by his family. The Bayern Munich legend was undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time, and he was known for his vision and accurate passing from the back, as well as being an absolute wall in the 1960s. Franz Beckenbauer was also one of the very few defenders to win the Ballon d’Or, and the only player to win it twice.
German legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away today aged 78.
RIP, Franz. 👑🕊️ pic.twitter.com/IwdSA5KaiT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
The German player also won the 1974 World Cup, playing 103 games for his country. He is also one of the very few players to win the prestigious trophy both as a player and manager. Didier Deschamps and Mario Zagallo complete the list of elite players and managers. Beckenbauer’s rise to the top has been inspiring for millions around the world. He grew up in a working-class family in Giesing, with Franz Beckenbauer Sr. and Antoine.
At just 9 years old, he joined SC Munich, and the rest was history. He represented The Bavarians from 1964 to 1977, playing 427 games for them. After two spells at New York Cosmos, which included a stint at Hamburger SV, Beckenbauer hung up his cleats to call it a career.
The cause of death for Beckenbauer’s death remains unknown, but it could be so that he may have passed away from old age. However, the soccer icon has had his fair share of struggles as well.
Franz Beckenbauer was forced to undergo several life-threatening surgeries in the past
Walter, Franz’s brother, spoke about his sibling’s health complications some time ago. He said in the documentary that will air on Germany’s ARD TV in the coming weeks that his brother was not doing well. He mentioned, “If I were to say now that he is doing well, then I would be lying, and I don’t like to lie. He’s not doing well. It’s a constant up and down.”
For those who don’t know, the former German defender has had two heart surgeries, a hip implant, and lost vision in one of his eyes as well, as several reports mention. Moreover, it is claimed that there was a deterioration in his judgment and memory.
Lothar Matthäus reveals that Franz Beckenbauer is not doing well at the moment: “We wish him the best of health, and that he will be his old self again, with his energy. Of course we hope he gets better. Franz always said that health is the most important thing in life. He… pic.twitter.com/8pEsAkZmPA
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 22, 2023
Lothar Matthaus, another German icon, even sent his prayers to Beckenbauer back in 2023. Matthaus mentioned that the late icon would always say health was an important aspect of life, which is tragic to hear right now considering his passing. Franz Beckenbauer will remain an important part of soccer history for generations to come, because of his contributions on and off the soccer field.