European football mourns Franz Beckenbauer as papers pay tribute

The world of football is in mourning for German legend Franz Beckenbauer with his death at the age of 78 dominating the front pages on Tuesday.

Newspapers across Europe devoted space to obituaries and tributes, with the image of ‘Der Kaiser’ lifting the World Cup after West Germany’s triumph in 1974 prevalent.

‘Our Kaiser is dead’ ran the headline on the front cover of German newspaper Bild, who featured photographs of Beckenbauer as a player, a World Cup-winning coach and in subsequent ambassadorial roles.

But the respect and admiration for Beckenbauer ran far beyond his homeland.

In Spain, Mundo Deportivo blacked out their front cover except for an image of the West Germany captain lifting the trophy after they beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the 1974 final in Munich.

Marca pictured the first ‘libero’ with the ball at his feet, saying ‘We all wanted to be Beckenbauer’.

Diario Sport called him ‘the last myth’ as they too depicted him lifting the World Cup as a player and credited him with ‘revolutionising football from defence with his exceptional class.’

The love for Beckenbauer continued into Portugal with A Bola devoting their front cover to him, and even in the Netherlands, where AD Sportwereld reflected the universal respect for the man.

French sports newspaper L’Equipe devoted their front cover to Beckenbauer – with a mention for Welsh rugby legend JPR Williams too.

Le Figaro’s sport section pictured a beaming Beckenbauer cradling the World Cup trophy in 1974, calling him ‘a symbol of a dominant German team’.

They also gave mention to his three consecutive European Cup successes with Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976, and his Ballon d’Or triumphs in 1972 and 1976.

In Italy, where they appreciate a good defender, La Gazzetta dello Sport heralded him ‘the greatest defender of all time’.

Their sub-headline described Beckenbauer as ‘the No 1 German talent everywhere who brought elegance to the pitch.’

The World Cup winner died on Sunday, his family have confirmed, as tributes from the world of football flooded in. 

Beckenbauer’s health has gradually declined ever since his son Stephan died in 2015. Since then the iconic former player and manager had battled Parkinson’s disease, dementia, as well as undergoing heart operations. 

He leaves behind his wife Heidi and his four other children. 

‘It is with deep sadness that we announce that husband and father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,’ a statement read. 

‘We ask that you be able to mourn in silence and refrain from asking any questions.’