Franz Beckenbauer dead: mourning for German football legend

bChancellor Olaf Scholz described Franz Beckenbauer, who died on Sunday, as one of the “greatest footballers in Germany”. Beckenbauer was “the emperor” for “many people” – “also because he inspired enthusiasm for German football for generations. We will miss him. My thoughts are with his family and friends,” wrote the SPD politician on the X platform (formerly Twitter).

Federal President Steinmeier also expressed his condolences to Heidrun Beckenbauer on the death of her husband. “Probably no one has had such an impact on German football as Franz Beckenbauer. As a player, team manager and coach, he made football history. He was an exception, the word libero in its entire meaning seems to have been invented for him,” wrote Steinmeier.

Beckenbauer's elegance on the ball has thrilled football fans all over the world. “With his leadership style and his playing philosophy, Franz Beckenbauer has made the German national team an outstanding ambassador for our country around the world,” Steinmeier continued. “We will always be grateful to him for that. And the summer fairy tale in our country in 2006 would have been unthinkable without him. As in many other places, he allowed himself to be put into service here.”

“Shock runs deep”

Lothar Matthäus said goodbye with emotional words. “The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t feeling well,” the former national soccer player told “Bild”. In 1990, Matthäus was captain of the team that won the World Cup in Italy under team boss Beckenbauer.

“His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole,” Matthäus continued. “He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field. Franz was an outstanding personality not only in football, and he enjoyed worldwide recognition. Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was. A good friend left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him!”

“Franz Beckenbauer’s death is a real turning point,” said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf. “We look back on his life’s work with respect and great gratitude. With him we are losing a unique footballer and a lovable person.” Beckenbauer’s “meticulousness and charisma as a team boss as well as his energy and drive as head of the World Cup OK are unforgettable,” continued Neuendorf.

Completely “infinitely sad”

DFB director Rudi Völler, who became world champion in 1990 together with Matthäus and Beckenbauer, said: “I am incredibly sad, the news of his death affects me very much,” said the former national team striker. “I consider it one of the great privileges of my life to have known and experienced Franz Beckenbauer,” added Völler.

The honorary president of FC Bayern, Uli Hoeneß, was quoted in a statement from the club as follows: “Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest personality that FC Bayern has ever had. As a player, coach, president, person: unforgettable. Nobody will ever reach him. People can say they saw football in Franz Beckenbauer's time. He was a friend to me, a unique companion – and a gift to all of us. Dear Franz, rest in peace!”

Messi and Lineker send their condolences

National player Thomas Müller also paid tribute to Beckenbauer. “Unfortunately, one of the greatest footballers in FC Bayern’s club history has left us. Rest in peace, Emperor Franz,” the Munich native wrote on X on Monday. “We will never forget what you have done for football in Germany.”

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi posted a black and white photo of Beckenbauer from his time as a national player on Instagram and wrote “QEPD”. The acronym stands for “Que en paz descanses” (May you rest in peace).

England's former football star Gary Lineker also expressed his condolences: “I am very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. “He was one of the greats of our sport,” Lineker wrote on