Franz Anton BeckenbauerĀ (born 11 September 1945) is a GermanĀ footballmanager, and former player, nicknamedĀ Der KaiserĀ ("The Emperor") because of his elegant style; his leadership; his first name "Franz" (reminiscent of theĀ Austrian emperors), and his dominance on the football pitch. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest German footballers of all time and one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the game.[1][2]Beckenbauer was a versatile player, who started out as a midfielder, but made his name as a defender. He is often credited as having invented the role of the modern sweeper orĀ libero.Ā
Twice selectedĀ European Footballer of the Year, Beckenbauer appeared 103 times forĀ West GermanyĀ and played in threeFIFA World Cups. He is one of only two men, along with Brazil'sĀ MĆ”rio Zagallo, to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager: he lifted the World Cup trophy as captain in 1974, and repeated the feat as a manager in 1990. He was the first captain to lift the World Cup and theĀ European ChampionshipĀ at international level and theĀ European CupĀ at club level. He was named in theĀ World Team of the 20th CenturyĀ in 1998, theĀ FIFA World Cup Dream TeamĀ in 2002, and in 2004 was listed in theĀ FIFA 100Ā of the world's greatest living players.[4][5]
At club level withĀ Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won theĀ UEFA Cup Winners' CupĀ in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976. The latter feat made him the only player to win three European Cups as captain of his club. He became team manager and later president of Bayern Munich. After two spells with theĀ New York CosmosĀ he was inducted into the U.S.Ā National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Today, Beckenbauer remains an influential figure in both German and international football. He led Germany's successful bid to host theĀ 2006 FIFA World CupĀ and chaired the organizing committee. He currently works as aĀ punditĀ forĀ Sky GermanyĀ and is a columnist for the tabloidĀ Bild.
Re: Autograph of Franz Beckenbauer - Captain of German Soccer...
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Re: Autograph of Franz Beckenbauer - Captain of German Soccer...
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