Tributes to “Kaiser” Franz Beckenbauer, who died this Monday at the age of 78, continue to pour in. Winner of the World Cup as a player (in 1974) and as a coach (in 1990), the German was part of a very closed group in which there was also the Brazilian Mario Zagallo, who died three days ago, and Didier The fields. Very touched, the coach of the France team wanted to pay tribute to the double Ballon d’Or (1972, 1976).
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of Franz Beckenbauer,” he said. His disappearance comes just a few days after that of Mario Zagallo. It was a huge honor for me to join them both in 2018 among those who won the World Cup as a player and then as coach. My pain, today, is equal to the happiness that was mine to be invited to the table of these two giants of international football. »
“He exuded a class, a confidence that many sought to be inspired by”
Like Michel Platini, the former coach of Olympique de Marseille highlighted the talent of the former Bayern Munich defender. “Franz Beckenbauer was first of all a world-class player, a talented and authoritarian defender with his almost always club, Bayern Munich, but also with the German selection with whom he collected trophies,” he continued. . He exuded a class, a confidence that many sought to be inspired by. »
Didier Deschamps had a thought for those close to the German legend: “Through everything he achieved but also what he exuded, Franz Beckenbauer was an extremely respected personality, who embodied the demands of the very highest level. I extend to his family, his loved ones and all those who, like me, admired him, all my support in this sad and painful moment. » After Mario Zagallo, football mourns another of its legends.
