Franz Beckenbauer (†78)
The whole of Germany is in mourning: Franz Beckenbauer died on January 7, 2024, surrounded by his family in Salzburg. The Munich native was one of the great German football players. He played primarily for FC Bayern Munich, but Cosmos New York and HSV were also among his stops as an active player. One of the legendary athlete’s greatest successes was winning the Football World Cup in 1974 as team captain and in 1990 as team boss of the German national team. In 2000, the “Kaiser” was named Germany’s Footballer of the Century. His former club never completely let go of him. From 1994 to 2009 he was president of FC Bayern Munich and became honorary president from 2009. He leaves behind his wife Heidrun and his four children.