One of the best “our sport has ever seen” – this is how DFB President Neuendorf praises Franz Beckenbauer. Other athletes also find moving words – as do politicians. An overview of the reactions to the death of the exceptional footballer.
The death of Franz Beckenbauer sparked sadness in sports and politics. The reactions make it clear how much recognition the football star enjoyed.
In his first reaction to the news of his death, Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on Platform
Steinmeier: “Outstanding ambassador of our country”
Federal President Steinmeier condoled Heidrun Beckenbauer on the death of her husband. “Probably no one has had as much of an impact on German football as Franz Beckenbauer. As a player, team manager and coach, he wrote football history. He was an exception; the word libero in its entire meaning seems to have been invented for him,” wrote Steinmeier.
With his leadership style and his playing philosophy, Beckenbauer made the German national team “an outstanding ambassador for our country” around the world, Steinmeier continued. The “Summer fairy tale in our country 2006” would also have been unthinkable without Beckenbauer. As a sports official, Beckenbauer brought the 2006 World Cup to Germany. The Federal President also explicitly mentioned Beckenbauer’s social commitment: “With his foundation, he supported people with disabilities and people who were sick and in need through no fault of their own,” wrote Steinmeier.
Aigner: “Elegant libero and a man of fairness”
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder praised Munich-born Beckenbauer as Bavaria’s ambassador to the world. “Even as a world star, he never forgot his origins and always remained humble,” wrote Söder on
Bavaria’s state parliament president Ilse Aigner called Beckenbauer an “idol of the century.” He was “an elegant libero on the pitch and a man of fairness”.
Völler: “Lightning figure of German football”
There is also great sadness in the world of football and sports. “The ‘Kaiser’ was an inspiration for more than one generation, he will forever remain the shining light of German football,” wrote Rudi Völler, DFB director of the senior national team. “With Franz Beckenbauer, German football is losing its greatest personality, I’m losing a good friend.”
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf called Beckenbauer’s death “a real turning point”. He was one of the best players “our sport has ever seen. With his lightness, his elegance and his overview, he set standards on the field.”
Nagelsmann: “He could float across the lawn”
“For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history,” was the reaction of national coach Julian Nagelsmann. Until the end, an aura surrounded him “that even the health problems and strokes of fate that he had to cope with could not shake.”
Franz Beckenbauer could float across the pitch; as a footballer and later as a coach he was sublime, he stood above things. When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up; he rightly earned the title “Lightning Figure of German Football”.
Hoeneß: “A gift to all of us”
Beckenbauer died on Sunday at the age of 78. He shaped German football for many decades – as a player, coach and official.
He played a special role for FC Bayern. “Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest personality FC Bayern has ever had,” wrote Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß. “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!”