Footballing greats including Gary Lineker have taken to social media to pay tribute to Franz Beckenbauer following the German legend’s death at the age of 78.
His family confirmed that the World Cup winner had died on Sunday, and it has led to an outpouring of emotion and memories from some of the sport’s finest.
Der Kaiser was a two time Ballon d’Or winner, and won the World Cup with West Germany as a player in 1974 and as a manager 16 years later.
On X (formerly Twitter), England legend Gary Lineker wrote: ‘Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.’
Xabi Alonso, World Cup winner with Spain and current boss at Bayer Leverkusen, simply wrote: ‘Ruhe in Frieden (Rest in Peace), Kaiser!’, with a picture of his success from 1974.
Gary Lineker was among many footballing greats paying tribute to Franz Beckenbauer
Fellow World Cup winner Xabi Alonso posted a photograph of Beckenbauer’s 1974 triumph
Beckenbauer, right, was hailed as one of football’s all time greats, along with Pele, left
England goalkeeping great Peter Shilton wrote: ‘Very sad to hear that the great @beckenbauer has sadly passed away he was a fantastic player reaching world class status @FIFAWorldCup RIP #Legend.’
Scottish international David Speedie wrote: ‘Sad to hear one of the games all time greats Franz Beckenbauer has passed away.
‘Der Kaiser was ahead of his time, he changed the way the we played football.
‘He leaves behind a legacy many of can only dream about having as a footballer.
‘RIP Franz Beckenbauer.’
Norway’s Jan Aage Fjortoft, who worked with him on television in Germany, wrote: ‘Franz Beckenbauer has died.
‘One of the greatest players of all time. World Cup winner both as player and coach.
‘I had the privilege to have him as a colleague at Sky Germany. He was always open and kind. And shared his wisdom and knowledge.
‘Rest in Peace, Kaiser.’
Others stars of the football world paid online tributes to Beckenbauer after his death aged 78
Beckenbauer, a legend on the pitch and as a manager, also worked on TV with Sky Germany
Lead Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae wrote: ‘Franz Beckenbauer passed away at 78 on Sunday. Arguably the greatest & most iconic of all German footballers. R.I.P.’
More to follow…
