FIFA Mourns the Loss of Franz Beckenbauer: A Football Icon’s Legacy
The football world has lost a legend. The iconic German, Franz Beckenbauer, has passed away at the age of 78. Gianni Infantino, the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), expressed his condolences following the death of the former World Cup champion.
Beckenbauer remains a legendary figure at Bayern Munich, having won four Bundesliga titles, three European Cup championships, and an Intercontinental Cup.
As a player, he made history by becoming a world champion in 1974 on home soil, and two years earlier, he led Germany to victory in the European Championship.
With 103 appearances and 14 goals in the Bundesliga, Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or twice in 1972 and 1976, while also being recognized four times as Germany’s best football player.
As a coach, he achieved success by winning the French championship with Marseille in 1991 and securing gold medals in the Bundesliga with Bayern in 1994.
«Beckenbauer is a legend of German and world football. Kaiser Franz (Beckenbauer’s nickname) was a great man, a friend of football, a champion, and a true legend. We will never forget you, Franz», shared Infantino on his official Instagram account.