Franz Beckenbauer admits he remembers Barcelona SC and says of Ecuador: ‘I’ve always been impressed by their hospitality’

Franz Beckenbauer (1945-2024), a brave and powerful footballer who even a dislocated shoulder could not throw off the field in the indelible match of the century, lost 4-3 by Germany against Italy, in the semi-finals of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, was for years in retired from public activity in Salzburg (Austria), near his native Bavaria. His failing health greatly limited his appearances.

When he turned 75 in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Beckenbauer spoke about death and his future death in a German public television documentary. ARD, admitting that this looming prospect worried him. “I’m worried about the uncertainty,” he said at the time, given the lack of knowledge about what happens after death.

Also poor health Kaiser This meant that in January 2023 I could not travel to Brazil for the funeral about the king Pelé, with whom he played one season in the New York Cosmos. In August of the same year, he was absent from the traditional annual meeting of the German world champions in 1990. All this started rumors about his condition. He had to undergo several operations, and a few months ago he lost the sight in his right eye.

He broke protocol

In Ecuador twice. One in 1978, first as a great player of the Cosmos, with whom he faced Barcelona SC at the Modelo Stadium (1-1), and then in 2006, during a 38-hour visit to Guayaquil and Quito, as president of the Organizing Committee of the World Cup that year, in to his country. That last time, the German emphasized the affection with which he was received.

On February 12, 2006, he arrived in the country and attended three events: he was in the municipality of Quito, in the presidency of the Republic and in the Ecuadorian Football Association. Paco Moncayo, the mayor of the city, declared Beckenbauer a distinguished guest of the capital. Later, President Alfredo Palacio honored him and at 12:30 he traveled to Guayaquil, where he received the honor of the FEF in the evening. He later traveled to Paraguay where he continued his tour.

From the stay of Kaiser In Quito, EL UNIVERSO announced that it “violated protocol and formality. His humility and sense of humor were the most anticipated welcome for the Ecuadorians at the 2006 World Cup. On the cable car, he gave mayor Paco Moncay a jersey of the German national team with the signatures of the current eleven players. In his speech, Beckenbuaer repeated twice that his wish at the World Cup is for the Tricolori to win all games, except for the one they will play in the first phase against Germany (Tri was defeated 3-0 on June 20, 2006 in Berlin).

I haven’t forgotten Barcelona SC

“I want a tie,” he said diplomatically. He jokingly stated that he was willing to use his trip to sign an agreement or pact so that the two teams would not hurt each other in that World Cup match. After the event organized by the presidency of the Republic and after leaving for Guayaquil, Beckenbuaer took the time to greet passers-by who found themselves in the center of Quito. Some invited him to take a walk, and he, not understanding the Spanish language, smiled.”

A day after the FEF award in Guayaquil, the world champion as a player in 1974 and as coach of Germany in 1990 said: “I have always been impressed by the immense hospitality that this country has. I met him when I came to Guayaquil with Cosmos to play against Barcelona in 1978. I felt it even then, and this time I was more impressed.” Stay in Ecuador Kaiser “It was short (38 hours), but emotional and full of surprises for the German leader, as he admitted at a special event held at the Hilton Colón Hotel,” in the Main Port.

‘Kaiser’ jokes

According to EL UNIVERS, the visit was “emotional as Beckenbauer observed the signs of affection shown by the Ecuadorian people. Surprisingly, because of the recognition he received from the Municipality of Quito, the Presidency of the Republic, the FEF and the National Congress.”

Then, in February 2006, the symbol of German football spoke about the obligations at the World Cup that await the national team against Poland, Costa Rica and Germany. “First of all, Beckenbauer pointed out that it will be an important game, although he did not predict the winner; Against the other, he sees Ecuador as the favorite over the Ticos, but he pointed out that they should not be underestimated.”

From the tie against Germany, he “predicted a two-goal draw. ‘With the defenders we have (compared to his country’s national team) we could go two-to-two,'” Kaiser joked, prompting general laughter. ‘But I already told Luis Fernando Suárez that he can win every game except against Germany,’ Beckenbauer emphasized,’ this Dnevnik published about Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos, Hamburg and the superstar of the German national team. (D)