Franz Beckenbauer grew up in Munich, Germany, after World War II. As a kid, he loved playing football against the front wall of his house. The wall became like a good friend; if he kicked the ball well, it would bounce back, so he didn’t have to run after it.
Even as a youngster, Franz was energetic and loved football. People thought he was a bit wild when playing. Once, when he complained about being fouled in a game, he got slapped. This incident changed football history.
Later on, Franz joined Bayern Munich, a famous football club. Because of his great contributions, the team got to play in the Bundesliga. He played really well, and Bayern Munich won the BFB Pokal Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Franz Beckenbauer was often put in the position of a defensive midfielder by his German coach. He had a special skill for scoring goals late in the game. In the 1966 World Cup, he scored four goals. After many tries, he finally led West Germany to victory in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
Franz Beckenbauer’s team was exceptional in a style of play called total football. They dominated the game. He also secured victories in the European Cup in 1974, 1975, and 1976. He even won the Euros before the World Cup.
During this time, he was considered the best footballer in German history. He was not just a great footballer; he also appeared on TV, singing and modeling. He didn’t stick to one area of the field; he moved freely around.
He earned the nickname ‘Kaiser da Empire.’ Besides playing, he also did fantastic work as a coach for the German national team and as a manager for football clubs. German football owes a lot to him because he is the greatest figure in German football history.
