Beckenbauer died, and the "Four Heavenly Kings" of antiquity were reunited in heaven
According to German media reports, German football legend and "Football Emperor" Beckenbauer died on January 7, local time in Germany, at the age of 78.
As a football legend, Beckenbauer ushered in the era of free man in world football, leaving an immortal miracle in both Bayern Munich and the German national team. As the "Four Kings" of the ancient football world, Beckenbauer and Cruyff, Maradona, and Pele created a superstar era that belonged to a generation of fans, and now, with his passing, those dusty past events have come to an end, and many glorious football past events have been buried in memories.
Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945 in Munich, Germany, the son of a postal warehouse manager who was also not interested in football, but the gears of fate turned. At the age of 9, Beckenbauer entered the professional football club echelon to Xi football and began a generation of football legends.
At the age of 19, Beckenbauer made his debut for Bayern Munich, and a year later he made his debut in the Bundesliga. In the 1968-1969 season, Beckenbauer led Bayern Munich to the first league championship trophy in the team's history as captain, and at the same time, the growing Beckenbauer announced the arrival of the free man era in world football.
Versatility was the most obvious label of Beckenbauer's playing days, he started up as a striker and has since grown up in midfield, but it was at the back that he really made a legend. Due to his stature and skill, he can cover any area of the pitch, and Beckenbauer, who appears at the back, can not only complete defensive tasks, but also organize attacks or use his individual ability to launch direct attacks, which makes his value fully utilized.
In the 1966 World Cup in England, Beckenbauer played the whole game in 6 games, scored 4 goals, assisted 2, completed 17 tackles and 33 interceptions, won the World Cup Bronze Boot Award, was selected into the World Cup best team, and was named the best newcomer of the World Cup. In 2010, the FIFA Technical Committee named Beckenbauer the best player of the tournament.
In June 1970, Beckenbauer went to the World Cup in Mexico with the Federal Republic of Germany, where he made five appearances and scored one goal, helping the Federal Republic of Germany win the third place in the World Cup and be named in the World Cup team.
Since 1971, Beckenbauer has been captain of the Federal Republic of Germany. At the 1974 World Cup in Germany, he helped the team lift the World Cup trophy as a libero, playing the full seven matches in the entire tournament, winning the World Cup Silver Ball Award, and becoming the first player in World Cup history to be named in the World Cup Team of the Year three consecutive times.
In 1977, Beckenbauer announced his retirement from the Federal Republic of Germany due to personal problems and tax issues, and his playing career came to an end. On June 1, 1982, Beckenbauer announced his retirement due to injury.
The "talker" of German footballBidding farewell to his playing career, Beckenbauer's legend continues. With his outstanding business ability and strong aura, he became the "talker" of the "Germanic chariot" in the position of coach of the German national team and vice president of the German Football Association.
In 1984, Beckenbauer became head coach of the Federal Republic of Germany, but because he did not have a coaching certificate, he could only coach the team as a team leader. Two years later, in the World Cup in Mexico, Beckenbauer led the team to the final, and finally lost to the Argentine team led by Maradona. Four years later, at the World Cup in Italy, they made a comeback to turn a silver medal into a gold medal, making Beckenbauer only the second person in football history after Zagallo to win the World Cup as a player and as a coach.
After the World Cup in Italy, Beckenbauer chose to coach at the club, where he helped the team become the Bundesliga powerhouse, and in 1994, Beckenbauer was elected president of Bayern Munich, where his popularity reached its peak.
In 1998, Beckenbauer was appointed vice president of the German Football Association. In July 2000, Beckenbauer helped Germany win the right to host the 2006 World Cup by one vote as the chairman of the German World Cup bidding committee. After the successful bid, Beckenbauer was appointed chairman of the 2006 World Cup Organizing Committee.
It was because of Germany's successful bid for the World Cup that the FIFA Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Beckenbauer. Since then, the Swiss judiciary has indicted Beckenbauer and other four people involved on four charges, including fraud and money laundering. But because the time limit for prosecution had expired, Beckenbauer eventually escaped punishment.
On February 28, 2013, UEFA President Michel Platini presented Beckenbauer with the 2012 UEFA President's Special Award. In his speech, Platini also humorously said: "This is the first time that an 'emperor' has been crowned by a chairman. I don't know, is this decent?"
Beckenbauer responded: "I am deeply honoured to receive this award. ”
Beckenbauer's award-winning and controversial lives have been a legend in the industry.
The ancient "Four Heavenly Kings" gathered in heavenIn the first era of world football, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Maradona, and Pele were recognized by countless fans as the "Four Heavenly Kings". With the death of Beckenbauer, the "Four Heavenly Kings" can only gather in heaven, and a piece of football history has come to an end.
On 24 December 2016, Cruyff died of lung cancer at the age of 68. On November 25, 2020, Diego Maradona died of cardiac arrest at the age of 60. On December 29, 2022, Bailey died of multiple organ failure caused by colon cancer at the age of 82.
In an interview with Bild, Beckenbauer said he was unable to attend Pele's funeral due to his physical condition. "I would love to go to Pele's funeral, but unfortunately my physical condition does not allow me to make a long flight. I am in my heart to accompany my good friend on the final road. I've had very little contact with Bailey lately because we're both sick. But such friendships will stay with us for a lifetime, and we will always have good memories between us. He said.
A year later, the glorious past of the two old friends has disappeared into the dust, and their story has been frozen in affection ever since. "They're not just good friends. Pele called Beckenbauer his brother. When they played together for the New York Cosmos, the two legends cultivated a beautiful and rare friendship throughout their lives. It's a tough farewell for anyone who loves football. However, we hope that it will be a beautiful reunion in heaven. Thank you for everything, Beckenbauer. The official social media account of the football king Pele wrote.
Beckenbauer loved Chinese culture, especially the Tao Te Ching, and he once explained why he left the German team with the phrase "If you retire after success, the way of heaven will also be". Today, the legend is eternal, and Beckenbauer has left a splendid legacy for German football and world football, and his name will never be forgotten.
In another dimension, the light of the "Emperor of Football" will shine forever.
Reporter: Hou Chao Editor: Li Fujie Proofreader: Yang Hefang