Another big name in the world of football, Franz Beckenbauer, has left us. The German legend who revolutionised the role of a central defender with his ‘libero’ style was as legends go, right there at the top in terms of eminence. “A true legend” was how FIFA chief, Gianni Infantino hailed him. We had Pele and we had Beckenbauer, both who had contributed enough to make football, the most beautiful game in the world. Slowly the legends have begun to leave. Maradona, then Pele, Johan Cruyff, Bobby Charlton and now the man who had his own spectacular tale to speak of and something that will live on, has bid farewell.

They called him Der Kaiser, the Emperor not just because he resembled the Bavarian king Kaiser Ludwig II, but also for the way he ruled the football pitch with his refined ‘total football’ theory that he put in practice with such telling effect. Add to that his natural leadership. “He just oozed class,” was what his teammate at Bayern Munich Karl Heinz Rummenigge had to say. Old timers would recall his exploits, the way he revolutionised the defender’s role. The knick-name Kaiser got tagged on with him throughout his career as he rose to captain West Germany to World Cup triumph in 1974 and then winning again as Manager in 1990. Beckenbauer that way was one of only three players to have won the World cup both as a player and later as Coach, the other two being........

© Mathrubhumi English