Franz Beckenbauer, the German football legend and two-time World Cup winner, has died at the age of 78.
According to a statement from his family, the legendary footballer passed away on Monday “peacefully in his sleep”.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,” the statement reads.
“We ask that we be allowed grieve in peace and spared any questions.”
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Beckenbauer, nicknamed “Der Kaiser”, is considered one of the greatest footballers ever. He was a footballer praised for his passing ability and technical prowess. He began his career as a midfielder before maturing into one of football’s best central defenders.
He won the World Cup with West Germany as a player in 1974 and a manager in 1990. He was one of just three people ever to win the World Cup both as a player and a coach, alongside Mario Zagallo of Brazil and France’s Didier Deschamps
Beckenbauer also won the European Championship in 1972 and the Ballon d’Or twice. He is a Bayern Munich legend. He was a member of the iconic Bayern team that won three successive European Cups between 1974 and 1976, along with four Bundesliga titles.
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