In Munich on Friday, thousands of people said goodbye to the late German football legend Franz Beckenbauer. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also came to the Allianz Arena for the memorial service.
The current FC Bayern Munich team, national coach Julian Nagelsmann and his predecessors Hansi Flick and Joachim Löw came to the football stadium, as did numerous other representatives of the football business, but also celebrities such as tennis legend Boris Becker.
Franz Beckenbauer: Companions say goodbye
Beckenbauer, who died on January 7th at the age of 78, has already been buried privately. At the public memorial service, Steinmeier, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) and FC Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß were supposed to report on the life of the “Emperor” from different perspectives. Former companions such as his teammate Paul Breitner, record national player Lothar Matthäus, world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger and former national coach Berti Vogts laid roses for Beckenbauer at the beginning of the memorial service.
Beckenbauer’s widow Heidi and their two children Joel and Francesca also came to the funeral service, as did Beckenbauer’s older brother Walter. FC Bayern President Herbert Hainer said the deceased was “a role model for all generations.” He was an eternal free spirit. “Wherever he appeared, Franz brought the shine, very relaxed in his unmistakable way.” Hainer said of Beckenbauer, also known as the emperor: “FC Bayern will always remain an empire and forever.”
FC Bayern had chosen the Allianz Arena as the location for the memorial service because the construction of the stadium was primarily achieved under Beckenbauer’s commitment as president of FC Bayern Munich.