The WBC Mourns the Passing of The Legendary Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer who was among the finest footballers in the history of the sport, died Sunday at the age of 78, after a long illness. This was confirmed by his family.

Known as “Der Kaiser”  Beckenbauer is globally considered and recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of soccer. He was Captain of the German national team in the 70s and Coach from 1984 to 1990. He won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990.

Interviewed some years ago in Mexico he said that winning the World Cup as a coach was his greatest achievement as it involved the entire spectrum.  Asked that  if he could go back in time to when he was young again would he, the decisive replay was NO, because he had achieved all that he had set out to accomplish.. Who can ever forget when he dislocated his shoulder in the  1970 World Cup, but courageously and resolutely continued playing with his arm in a sling,  as Germany had already used their two substitutes. Or as the Captain of Germany, when he held the World Cup aloft, smiled  and in that  supreme moment said: “Wunderbar!

His health deteriorated, following the death of his son Stephan in 2015.  Prior to his passing on Sunday he’s not been seen in public  for eight years.

The entire Boxing Family, all of the Sporting World and the entire Globe,  mourns the passing of a  true and magnificent sports legend. We send our deepest condolences to the family and the friends of Franz who can be counted and numbered in their millions worldwide.  We have lost A Great.

Rest in Peace Franz.