The Life and Legacy of Franz Beckenbauer: A Legend Mourned by the Football World

As of: January 14, 2024, 5:04 a.m

By: Alexander Kaindl

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Franz Beckenbauer was seriously ill at the end of his life. Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt recognized the first signs a long time ago – now he went into further detail.

Munich – “Bobby, Pelé, Johan, Diego, Gerd! The Emperor is coming,” says Peter, floating on a cloud. He points to Franz Beckenbauer, ascending with angel wings. Underneath it says: “No one can separate good friends.” This comic is currently giving football fans all over the world goosebumps.

Franz Beckenbauer is dead: the football world mourns the loss of a legend

Without a doubt: the death of Franz Beckenbauer deeply shocked millions of people. Your former idol is gone forever. Sport and society are now missing a person who has matured into an institution over decades. A world without the emperor? Hard to imagine for many.

Someone who accompanied the football legend for a long time is Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt. He came to FC Bayern Munich in the 1970s as a team doctor and later also looked after the national team. “Mull” became an icon himself – but not even his healing miracle hands could help the emperor.

Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt (r.) spoke about Franz Beckenbauer’s illness in a podcast. © Horst Galuschka / Sven Simon

Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt talks about Franz Beckenbauer’s illness

Müller-Wohlfahrt, along with many other companions, had their say in the Bayern 1 podcast “Blue Couch”. The now 81-year-old spoke, among other things, about Beckenbauer’s condition in the recent past.

Müller-Wohlfahrt last saw the honorary president of FC Bayern, who will be holding a big memorial service, just over a year ago. “I tried to help,” he explained. “But then the journey from Salzburg was too far here. Then we talked on the phone. And then he didn’t want any more visitors, that put a strain on him. And we accepted that.”

Franz Beckenbauer: Career and life of the emperor in pictures

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Müller-Wohlfahrt noticed Beckenbauer’s disease early on: “I didn’t want to admit it”

Beckenbauer’s death on January 7th hit the doctor – like so many others – hard: “It was very painful and then surprising.” And further: “I knew that he was sick. I looked after him until a year ago, but then it didn’t work anymore. It hurts that it happens so quickly.”

Müller-Wohlfahrt finally went into a little more detail. He saw the first signs of the disease “a long, long time ago. Still hoping it won’t get bad.”

Moderator Thorsten Otto asked: “You’re talking about dementia, right?”

Müller-Wohlfahrt’s answer: “Yessss and Parkinson, it is. The first signs were apparent early on, but I didn’t want to admit it myself. My Franz Beckenbauer is not allowed to get sick. “That’s a radiant personality.” The “Doc” is then audibly touched.

Marcel Reif after the death of Franz Beckenbauer: “I am glad that he is saved”

The 1974 and 1990 world champion has been doing poorly in recent months. His brother Walter explained this in the ARD documentary that appeared in December and was broadcast on TV the evening after Beckenbauer’s death. Marcel Reif, also a long-time companion of the emperor, said after the sad news: “I am glad that he has been saved.” (mind)

2024-01-14 04:04:00
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