He could have been a marshal, emperor, chancellor of Germany, president of Mercedes Benz or Lufthansa. Which I would like. It embodied reliability, which inspires us in every German product. He possessed the gift of leadership, moderation and serenity combined with elegance. It is a registered trademark of universal sport, a synonym of the nation (of the great). Franz Beckenbauer was the Beethoven of the ball, or perhaps the Beethoven of Beckenbauer music. His presence graced every FIFA or UEFA event; if he was at a match, the camera was focused on him in the box. He embodied prestige like no other. From his game, from his behavior and from his dignified demeanor. The English would sell millions of t-shirts, mugs, scarves, caps, books… with this kind of product.

The former coach of Bayern Munich proposes to change the name of the Allianz Arena stadium after Franz Beckenbauer

Almost all newspapers in the world put the news of his death on the front page, which gives it dimension. Many dedicated the entire cover to him, especially the sports ones. Similar to Pelé and Maradona. They are in contrast to the austerity of the German media: “Franz Beckenbauer is dead”, “Our Kaiser is dead”, “The Last Kaiser”, cold, boring headlines, without mercy or tenderness. And the Süddeutsche Zeitung, from Munich, where he was a fantastic player, did not even publish the news on the front page, in a very clear display of contempt.

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There is an explanation, it is found in the obituary written for the famous magazine by Peter Ahrens Der Spiegel. “Franz Beckenbauer was much more than an outstanding football player, he is a social figure, a character in modern history. He shaped the Federal Republic like Konrad Adenauer and Willy Brandt. Then the revelations about the Summer Fairy tale affair caught up with him. But he is still the figure of the century,” says Ahrens. The summer fairy tale was called the 2006 World Football Championship, in which the entire population experienced wonderful excitement. “Joseph Blatter took out a piece of paper from the envelope and said: “And the winner is… Germany.” Of course, what else could happen with Franz involved but win this…?” writes Ahrens. Then there was a case of bribery – proven – in which Germany bought votes to win the said tournament, and it was Beckenbauer who personally organized everything.

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Franz was called the “Bright Light” of Germany, but as a result of this incident, his light was extinguished and he took refuge in his home in Salzburg. It didn’t come out anymore. It could not be that the sticky taint of corruption touched a perfect, magnificent being like him, of whom all his countrymen were proud. The state was silent, although internally it was giving him the thumbs down.

Farewell to a true legend! An emotional message from the UEFA president on the occasion of the death of ‘Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer

His air of superiority also set him apart from the crowd. “Beckenbauer was one of the people, but not for the people. As a fan, you would embrace Gerd Müller and Uli Hoeness, but not Franz Beckenbauer,” adds editor Ahrens.

Uli Hoeness, Bayern Munich’s honorary president and former club and national team teammate, excitedly commented: “He was the greatest personality Bayern ever had. As a player, coach, president or person, he is someone unforgettable, nobody can match him. People can boast that they saw Franz Beckenbauer play. He was also my friend, a unique companion and a gift to everyone.” Despite the coldness in Germany over the character of the Kaiser, Hoeness and Rummenigge are preparing an important tribute at the club’s stadium.

With Gerd Müller, who were just two boys, they took Bayern Munich to the First League. They turned the regional league club into the world reference it is today. And at the age of 20, he played in the final of the World Cup in England. Then he won everything a footballer can dream of: Bundesliga (several), Champions League (several), Euro Cup, World Cup as a player and coach, Ballon d’Or. He presided over Bayern, the organization of Germany in 2006. His face was a seal that guaranteed success, quality, distinction. In just over two years, both left: Müller and Beckenbauer. Franz adored Müller. He always said: “Bayern’s greatness is not owed to me, we all owe it to him, to his goals.” And that was the pure truth. “Gerd and I were like brothers,” Kaiser told the newspaper. Bild.

“Before the games, he would pick me up and then we would go with the team on the bus. If I was late, he would tell me ‘Hurry up, we’re late’. And I answered: Gordito, without us, Bayern is not going anywhere.” Franz Beckenbauer helped his old teammate a lot when he fell into the abyss of alcoholism and depression after retiring from football.

What the leader Beckenbauer cannot erase is the soccer player Beckenbauer, whom the world admired. He changed the image of the German football player, from a panzer style, to that of a thinking and lucid athlete with a tool. He was both a defender and a midfielder, his technical prowess allowed him to do that. There must have been more persistent and stronger defenders, more dominant in the goal; Despite this, Franz is at the peak of attention. His starts from the back with his head held high, avoiding opponents are real football treasures. Unlike the 1966 final, in which he went almost unnoticed, in 1974, against the Netherlands, he was an imperial figure. There he played defense well (he was a midfielder in London), commanding respect and wisdom, exuding class. On July 7, 1974, a genius (Johan Cruyff) and a commander-in-chief (Beckenbauer) met. It was a game of chess between the two of them. The other won because of greater intelligence in planning the battle and because he placed himself in front of his troops.

He had a very nice long dribble, and when he got close to the opponent’s area, he also knew what to do. He scored 107 goals, each one more beautiful. He had no ugly goals.

One of the most elegant footballers in history, he walked past his rivals without looking at them, almost ignoring them, as if they didn’t exist. Colossal personality. He had absolute mental control over the stage and his universe: teammates, opponents, referees, audience. He didn’t shout, he didn’t demagogue. And he didn’t collide with anyone, he took a few steps and anticipated, then came out playfully, he almost always hit with three fingers and was a specialist in the game in the air, a noted jump meter and header. His gift of command and his composure under all pressures in the area are second to none. He was never in a hurry, nothing seemed to get the better of him. It was pleasant for his comrades: if Franz is so confident, we all should be. (OR)