Reactions of clubs and footballers after Beckenbauer’s death: “He was a sports legend, beyond football”

These were some of the main reactions provoked by the announcement this Monday of the death at the age of 78 of Franz Beckenbauer, a legend of German and world football.

Thomas Bach (president of the International Olympic Committee): “He was a sports legend, beyond football. For me personally, he was a good and loyal friend for over four decades, someone you could always count on.”

UEFA: “Franz Beckenbauer, one of the most eminent sons of European football, has died at the age of 78. “Kaiser was an extraordinary player, a successful coach and a popular expert who shaped German football like no other.”

Uli Hoeness (honorary president of Bayern Munich and former teammate): “He was the greatest personality Bayern has ever had. As a player, coach, president or person, he is someone unforgettable, no one can match him. People can boast that he saw Franz Beckenbauer play. He was also a friend to me, a unique companion and was a gift to everyone. Rest in peace, dear Franz.”

Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich player): “He was one of the best footballers in Bayern history and unfortunately he has left us. Rest in peace, Kaiser Franz. We will never forget what you have done for football in Germany.”

Julian Nagelsmann (Germany coach): “When Franz Beckenbauer walked into a room, the room lit up, which is why he was rightly considered the shining light of German football. Until the end he had that aura, which not even the health problems and the strokes of bad luck that he had to face could take away. I feel grateful and proud to have known him and I will remember him fondly.”

Michel Platini (former French footballer and former UEFA president): “Mr. Franz Beckenbauer is gone, the Kaiser is dead. One of my life companions leaves with him. One of the players who, like Pelé, Cruyff or Charlton, have nourished my passion for this sport. Franz was elegance and kindness incarnate and he too was an exceptional player. He is the founding father of German football and a tireless actor at the service of world football. “I show my total respect for the man and for the footballer who has just left us.”

Real Madrid: “Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Franz Beckenbauer, one of the greatest legends of European and world football.”

FC Barcelona: “FC Barcelona joins in condolences after the death of Franz Beckenbauer, a world football legend who has left us today at the age of 78. Rest in peace”.