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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Beckenbauer passed away on Monday</li><li>Died at the age of 78</li><li>Won the World Cup as a player and a manager</li></ul>

Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller and Gary Lineker pay touching tributes to Franz Beckenbauer after Germany legend dies aged 78

UEFA Nations League A

Hungary

Germany

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich

Augsburg

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/bayern-munich-germany-legend-franz-beckenbauer-dies-aged-78/blt588758d2c01bdb2b" target="_blank">Beckenbauer passed away at the age of 78</a> on Monday, his family announced. The former Germany defender, and manager, won the World Cup both as a player and a manager, and was known as one of the best defenders to ever play the game, perhaps even being one of the first ball-playing centre-backs in history. He won the Ballon d'Or twice, and was a shining light for Bayern Munich too.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.</p>— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1744399058884493742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">الأسطورة ميسي عبر IG: <a href="https://t.co/mluRWLUQD4">pic.twitter.com/mluRWLUQD4</a></p>— Messi Xtra (@M30xtra) <a href="https://twitter.com/M30xtra/status/1744415928975028554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Die Welt des FC Bayern ist nicht mehr die, die sie mal war – plötzlich dunkler, stiller, ärmer: Der deutsche Rekordmeister trauert um Franz Beckenbauer, den einzigartigen „Kaiser“, ohne den der FC Bayern niemals zu dem Verein geworden wäre, der er heute ist. <br><br>Ruhe in Frieden.</p>— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern/status/1744419146970870253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Einer der großartigsten Fußballer der Vereinsgeschichte des <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBayern</a> hat uns leider verlassen. 😞 <br>Ruhe in Frieden, Kaiser Franz.<br>Wir werden nie vergessen, was du für den Fußball in Deutschland geleistet hast. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kaiser?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kaiser</a> <a href="https://t.co/rvUOxCzaH7">https://t.co/rvUOxCzaH7</a></p>— Thomas Müller (@esmuellert_) <a href="https://twitter.com/esmuellert_/status/1744402182554767528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very sad to hear that the great <a href="https://twitter.com/beckenbauer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@beckenbauer</a> has sadly passed away he was a fantastic player reaching world class status <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAWorldCup</a> 🇩🇪 RIP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Legend?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Legend</a> <a href="https://t.co/hFQjo0SeY3">pic.twitter.com/hFQjo0SeY3</a></p>— Peter Shilton (@Peter_Shilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Peter_Shilton/status/1744404303224205821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser <a href="https://t.co/32p8T2rEkI">pic.twitter.com/32p8T2rEkI</a></p>— Sir Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/kennethdalglish/status/1744409380164903307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser. 👑🕊 <a href="https://t.co/zE2CcggVNd">pic.twitter.com/zE2CcggVNd</a></p>— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bundesliga_EN/status/1744400445789831172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A true footballing icon. <br><br>Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. <a href="https://t.co/RqARHeg0jl">pic.twitter.com/RqARHeg0jl</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1744407991267319995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Franz Beckenbauer: a football poet, gracefully weaving his artistry into the romantic fabric of the beautiful game.<br><br>𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲, 𝗥𝘂𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻, 𝗗𝗲𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿. <a href="https://t.co/LE02O4hVpy">pic.twitter.com/LE02O4hVpy</a></p>— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/adidasfootball/status/1744410015388049581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football's greatest ever players<br><br>A World Cup winner as both player and manager, 'Der Kaiser' was as elegant as he was dominant<br><br>He will forever be remembered <a href="https://t.co/dJDF4eAuod">pic.twitter.com/dJDF4eAuod</a></p>— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1744402203043942438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT THE TRIBUTES SAID

<p>Beckenbauer redefined the defensive role and enjoyed a remarkable career that saw him transform both Bayern and Germany into two of the best teams of his era. He also managed Bayern to great success, winning the Bundesliga and the UEFA Cup as head coach.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>German football will undoubtedly pay tribute to one of their greatest ever players when the Bundesliga restarts. The next matchday takes place this weekend, starting with Bayern's clash with Hoffenheim on Friday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller and Gary Lineker pay touching tributes to Franz Beckenbauer after Germany legend dies aged 78 | Goal.com

Luminaries from across football have paid tribute to Franz Beckenbauer after the World Cup winning manager died at the age of 78.