Beckenbauer, the Kaiser who supported Morocco's World Cup bid, dies
As a good German, Franz Anton Beckenbauer (Munich, 1945) went to play golf at the Royal Golf Club in the Moroccan town of El Jadida in December 2002. There, with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, he assured that "Morocco is better placed than South Africa to host this event and I will do everything I can to support their bid", in reference to the 2010 World Cup.
Once one of the best central defenders in the world, even excelling in the now extinct position of sweeper (a third centre-back who helped his team-mates), he was warmly welcomed by the authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco, including the governor of the region at the time, Mohammed El Fassi.
The dream of hosting a World Cup began for Morocco in 1994, followed by 1998, 2006 and 2010. Beckenbauer did not have the necessary strength. South Africa won the tournament, which was won by Spain in the final against the Netherlands. They were then denied the 2018 and 2026 World Cups, until they won the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco is also mourning the death of one of its greatest assets in demonstrating its footballing power to the world. Beckenbauer passed away in Salzburg on 8 January after battling one of those illnesses which, whether long or short, does not cause suffering for all those who suffer alongside the sufferer.
Iconic figure in the world of football
Franz Beckenbauer, also known as the Kaiser, was an iconic figure in the history of football. So much so that today his boots and tracksuit, christened Kaiser by Adidas, are still among the best-selling items of clothing.
The defender left an indelible mark on the sport, both as a player and as a coach. His impact went far beyond the field of play. He played important roles in football administration at both his beloved Bayern Munich and the German Football Association.
As a player, Beckenbauer shone in the position of central defender and midfielder. His elegance and tactical vision allowed him to stand out and break the clichés that defenders should be tough, lacking in quality and even ugly. His career took off with Bayern Munich, where he won numerous Bundesliga titles and three consecutive European Cups in the 1970s. His ability to read the game and his ability to lead from the back earned him the nickname The Kaiser, translated as The Emperor in German.
Beckenbauer also made his mark at international level. He represented Germany in three consecutive World Cups (1970, 1974 and 1978), and was instrumental in winning the title in 1974. His role as a player and captain in the German national team is remembered as indispensable in winning that title in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and West Berlin against the Netherlands 1-2.
Beckenbauer's style of play was unique. He not only stood out for his technical ability and strategic vision, but also for his ability to score goals from a defensive position. This made him a versatile all-round player, something that was rare in the days of kicking, shoving and knee-high fouls. His calm approach and tactical intelligence set him apart and made him a benchmark not only for Germany, but for world football. Sergio Ramos, one of the greatest centre-backs in the history of Real Madrid and Spain, said in 2011 that "it is an honour to be compared to Beckenbauer".
After his successful playing career, Beckenbauer made the transition to the world of the dugout. He continued to demonstrate his tactical astuteness and his ability to motivate players. He led the German national team in the 1980s and in 1990 he won the World Cup in Italy as German coach.
Beckenbauer played a key role in the organisation of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, which was won by Italy against France, with the hosts finishing third after beating Portugal. FIFA subsequently opened an investigation against the German leader himself for irregular payments in the awarding of that tournament to his country.
At his club he scored 75 goals in 577 games before playing five seasons for the Cosmos in the North American league, the same club that Pelé joined years earlier and where Raúl joined some time later. A classic Yankee who still does not play in the big league in that country.
Beckenbauer's legacy is unique. A defender with quality and knowledge of the game who brought the ball out as a midfielder. Then came Ramos, Hierro, Sammer, Cannavaro or Puyol to pick up the baton from the man who forced defenders to know how to play football.