Soccer Icon Franz Beckenbauer Passes Away at 78
The Facts
The family of Franz Beckenbauer has revealed to the media company Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the former German footballer and manager passed away on Sunday at the age of 78.
Born on Sept. 11, 1945, Beckenbauer played for Bayern Munich (1964-77), Hamburger SV (1980-82), and the New York Cosmos (1977-80 and 1983-84). The defender also represented the West German national team in 103 matches.
The Spin
Narrative A
A titan of soccer history, Beckenbauer completed the sport both on the pitch and on the touchline. The complete soccer player, much of his time on the pitch looked effortless while his statesman-like aura earned him the nickname "Der Kaiser" — The Emperor. Although Germany's corruption allegations concerning the 2006 World Cup cannot be forgotten, it will take more than accusations without verdict to blemish the legacy of one of the greatest of all time.
Narrative B
Despite potentially being Germany's greatest-ever player, the later years of Beckenbauer's life were rife with scandal and sadness. Following the passing of his son and allegations of corruption, the former soccer legend's health noticeably deteriorated. Despite being a serial winner for so many years, Beckenbauer's final years away from the spotlight were tragic and painted the picture of a complex and sometimes challenging human interest story.
