I'm a German national and I have to thank the panel for the kind words. It's hard to explain to the outside world how important of a figure Beckenbauer was for German football. In a way we (the football nation) lost our father. I'm always saddened whenever a legend of the game dies. Last year, sir Bobby Charlton was another huge miss. It's the circle of life, but events like this remind me of my own mortality and how im not as young anymore and most certainly my time will come one day as well. Ruhe in Frieden Franz. RIP to all legends of the game. You impacted many people's life's, you inspired and to some like myself, your professional conduct set an example to follow, like a father I never had.

@SuperLapsap

Ай бұрын

You took the words right out of my mouth.

One of the first rolls Royce of the game, RIP Franz

@-The-Darkside

4 ай бұрын

Bobby Moore predates him

@mojebi3804

4 ай бұрын

@@-The-Darkside What's your point dude?

As an English fan, I suffered. I was always jealous of that great West German team, and the Dutch at the time. He was a legend. FB one of the best. RIP.

The Kaiser - what a nickname. What a player. What a man!

For us Germans Beckenbauer was really a staple in our post war lifes. Amongst the German football legends he distinctively stands out and most of all he put Germany as a football nation at the top of the world almost by himself. Beckenbauer also had great respect for Bobby Moore.

@imrans2784

4 ай бұрын

Franz Beckenbauer is part of the Royal family of football, along with Pele,Maradona, Bobby Charlton, Eusebio, Puskas, Di Stefano and Cruyff. Giants of the game. Gone but will not be forgotten

@ronny-lb1cr

4 ай бұрын

The beloved Fritz Walter Walter und Uwe Seeler came before Beckenbauer. Their humility and big hearts was the foundation to German society post WW2

@jerryoshea3116

4 ай бұрын

He was a fantastic player who strolled around the field of play like he owned it &he could pretty much play in any position he liked and I can recall both Georgie Best,Bobbie Charlton and Bobby Moore saying he was one of the greatest players they had the privilege to see & play against! Franz Beckenbauer Born 9/ 1945 - Died Jan 2024.. May he R.I.P

Beckenbauer was pure quality

I'm not sure if people today even realise what a brilliant footballer he was. For me he would be one of the first picks in any world XI, with players like Pele, Maradonna or Cruyff. I have a great passion for football in the 60's, 70's 80's and have watched many of his games and for me there are only 2 or 3 players who ever played as elegantly as he did. He was ahead of the players back then in everything, his intelligence, overview.... He often played for Germany and Bayern in a white jersey and at the end of the game there wasn't a single stain to be seen, he didn't even sweat. He didn't have to fight any duels because he knew 1 second before the striker what was going to happen next. He more or less reinvented a position. The centre-back who takes over the build-up play. And it wasn't just his passes, when he made a run, he easily dribbled past 3 players. There was nothing he couldn't do. World champion (1x as a player, 1x as a coach), European champion, CL winner, 2x Ballon D Or winner ... And he was a great human being aswell. RIP Kaiser

@nigelhaines7900

4 ай бұрын

well said r.i.p FRANZ

@user-jp2op9xk1b

4 ай бұрын

He didn't have to fight any duels because Katsche Schwarzenbeck fought them. Beckenbauer without Schwarzenbeck is unthinkable.

@gscheidhaferlvomdienst6864

4 ай бұрын

​@@user-jp2op9xk1baber der Franz hat die Lorbeeren kassiert

RIP Franz Beckenbauer. One of the GOATS for sure.

IMO The greatest midfield/defender ever! RIP Franz

Franz Beckenbauer and others in those days made me love that game Football. It is very sad to hear that Beckenbauer passed away and just short after the Brasilian classy player Zagallo. Very sad, but thank you for the joy you have given to football fans worldwide.

most importantly FFranz beckenbauer was MORE than a football player. He was as great a HUMAN BEING as he was a leader and footballplayer and coach. And that as good as many people are and were on the footballfield isnt something that comes a long every day. He was not just looked up to because of his achievements which outstrip everything we have seen since. This man ...has WON FOOTBALL. And that wuite literally. But more important. He took all of that. And he stayed humble...the same man he was before when he had nothing. Always good for a smile and a warm word for everyone who needed it. Always there for his country no matter what. He loved to make others succed just as much as he loved to succed himself. And was one of the FEW that genuinely could be as hAPPY FOR OTHERS as he was for himself. I can not overstate how big a difference there is and was between him and the vast majority of footballers not just ON the pitch but especially of the pitch. And not that other footballer are bad people. NOT AT ALL. BUt honestly. That really tells you just how much of an achievement it is that this man still overachieved so exceptionally in that regard. He grew pup in the relative and quite literal poverty that all german youth grew up after the nation was destroyed by bombs on civilian infrastructure. And he kept that with him instead of losing control the first moment he could overstering trying to forget that poverty as so many others did and do today. He was a captain on the field and beyond. The same way of trying to lead by example he had on the field he also tried to adhere to outside in his life and his relation to all other humans he met. Its just an exeptional human being that we lost. And it saddens me to the core :(

Two days ago, I literally searched him on KZread to see what he was doing… crazy talents for a defender (Sweeper/Libero).

I worked with Franz in the 80's at NY Cosmos. He was a gentleman first, superior footballer and had a passion for arts, music and the NY cosmopolitan life

These players represent the first wave of international football super stars.

RIP Kaiser, now the captain of Heaven FC. Condolences to his family, his team mates, and all those who remember this genius who just seemed to glide over the pitch. 🇩🇪

Der Kaiser, Cryuff, Bobby Charlton, Best, the greats of Europe.

Der Kaiser, pure quality !!!

For me, World Class is not solely about skills and/or success, but the attitude. Franz had to be pushed into the limelight and into becoming our golden wonder boy that won everything for us. He never wanted that. He had to be pushed into making dirty business with mafiosi for us to get us the world cup. Everybody knew who he was dealing with, yet still half the country stabbed him in the back for it. Seeing him play is like watching a maestro orchestrating a team. Always head up. He doesn't need to look at the ball, it obeys him without sight. What a legend!

RIP Franz

Beckenbauer would be my Captain in my Team of the Century.

@whywouldyoucare

4 ай бұрын

any day...and twice on sunday

I agree with Simon, George Best was an incredible player, he played in a era were pitches were awful and an era where players could kick lumps out of you add that to the less then professional lifestyle of Best. I think there is a strong argument for Best being the most naturally talented player who ever lived.

@mjcats2011

4 ай бұрын

Oh, Best certainly was. He was equally brilliant with both feet.

@carnalea2424

4 ай бұрын

IMO the greatest British player since the war

@united6997

4 ай бұрын

@@carnalea2424only he wasn’t British . Born in Belfast N.Ireland

@carnalea2424

4 ай бұрын

May I ask you then what nationality you think Best was?

@carnalea2424

4 ай бұрын

@@mjcats2011 and like many smaller players (eg Keegan) very good headers as well.

Brilliant player

Great player AND Great Manager. Not many can do both successfully.

Its difficult to compare guys like Best who played literally in the mud to the Ronaldos who plays on practically bowling greens.

@anthonykey9706

4 ай бұрын

Players are protected more from fouls now, too.

Agree with the George Best analysis and Franz Beckenbaur to Simon , both different so very different , yet both 100 percent world class

Beckenbauer was possibly the best defender ever and had a style that would grace any of the top teams today.

a very graceful football legend

Beckenbauer and Moore were the best defenders period. So sad that another all time great has passed. Sir Bobby passed recently also.

We also lost the greatest of all, King Pele!

@-The-Darkside

4 ай бұрын

Played in Minor leagues. Never tested himself.

@davidkearns5744

4 ай бұрын

Apart from the fact he played against every top European team as well and did exactly the same

Jim: "Simon, let's take a moment to pay tribute to the wonderful Franz Beckenbauer." Simon: Goes way off track, chooses erroneous mental tangents, ends up paying tribute to George Best instead, renders Beckenbauer incidental to his seemingly broader gripe about the use of the phrase "world class".

KAISER RIP. Why are England legends like Moore, Greaves, Keegan, even Robson not as revered as they should be?🤔

Simon = Top LAD Proper Clobber 💯 Facts

True legend.

What a player. He was so good hed be the best CB in the world today.

best trainers of all time, i'll wear them with pride

probably the greatest defender ever, and i seen maldini in my generation. but der kaiser was a world apart from us.... one of the best ever players of football. such intelligence was overflowing from him....god rest him

RIP LEGEND

RIP FRANZ BECKENBAUER

There is world class and there is a level above that which very few players reach

My all time favourite foreign player, in 66 he was the best player in that tournament aged 20 as a midfield player, he then became the greatest sweeper ever in 74 a true great. JW is wrong about 1970 as England were 2-0 behind and FB made it 2-1

RIP to a legend, where was the tribute for Zagallo who died only a few days ago?

@tevildo45

4 ай бұрын

European bias probably.

@davinnicode

4 ай бұрын

@@tevildo45 yeah pretty much. It was different time back then. Things weren't as connected as today. If Zagallo had played in Europe he would have gotten more recognition here.

@Tosse901

4 ай бұрын

@@tevildo45 of course a european legend will be recognized in europe. That`s not bias, that is completely normal.

Realize, I don't want to be a miser Confide wisely, you'll be the wiser Young blood is the lovin' upriser How come everybody wanna keep it like Der Kaiser?

Bizarre Jim White keeps missing out Pele and Maradonna. Its actually insane

Spot on Simon about George Best without doubt the best player in the world never to play in a World Cup let alone win one

I think he was above world class 😅😂. He was one of the TRUE GOAT’s 🤷

I was at the 1990 WC semi final in Turin , as close as the dug outs as you could be . When Gaza got booked near the end , it was Frank Beckenbauer jumping out the dug out arms out screaming that got Gaza booked . He out gamed England that day , I see it with my own eyes

@happyapple4269

4 ай бұрын

Clear booking though.

@jameshodgkins559

4 ай бұрын

@@happyapple4269 , The ref wasn’t going to book Gaza , it was Beckenbauer that made sure he was .

@Razor-fv2tv

4 ай бұрын

And it's exactly these nights, these games between Germany and England that fascinate me about football. You can play against France or Brazil it's just not the same. Regardless of whether you're English or German, you'll sweat blood during these 90 minutes. There's so much history in it, be it 1966 (and no it wasn't a goal ;) ), 1990 the penalty shootout, 1996 your home European Championship or 2010 in South Africa (and yes that was a goal but I'm just saying karma ;) ). Beckenbauer is a huge part of this story and for me he is also a great player because he won against you more often than he lost. RIP Kaiser

I am always amazed that Ralph Dixie Dean is never mentioned in the same breath! As a working-class man from Birkenhead, he only wanted to play for Everton! As a player of his time, his global influence was massive! He suffered a head injury before his record-breaking season, had a metal plate implanted and then extracted and scored 60 goals in 39 games! As a man and captain of Everton Football Club that toured Germany in the 30s, he and Everton Football Club were the first to refuse the Hitler salute in Nazi Germany! He was the first global number 9 in Football! The man was incredible and revered by many sporting greats, yet Ralph Dixie Dean appears insignificant! The modern game does not recognise him; we, as Blues, always will and never allow his legacy to be forgotten!

😮 George Best could create magic on a pitch covered in an inch of mud that modern day footballers wouldn't even condescend to play on.

@gmac673

4 ай бұрын

Many modern day footballers were raised and played football in far tougher environments and far worse conditions than a muddy pitch, long before they became professionals. They don't all come from pampered academies like the English kids.

No disrespect, but Moore and Beckenbauer are not on the same page. Beckenbauer is in the olymp if football, next to him are only goats like Pele, Maradonna or Cruyff. Moore was a great player, but he was not a player you would put on Mount Rushmore of football. Well, Kaiser Franz was and is, RIP Kaiser.

This tribute was a bit poor. Maybe because of jealousy or ignorance. All of the players mentioned here have been great great players but no one regarding titles as a player and as a coach so as a personality worldwide could match Franz Beckenbauer. RIP Franz

Grudging praise IMO from Jordan for Beckenbauer. He rarely has anything good to say about German football.

...and he only wanted to play for NY Cosmos because his hero Pele played there...... in the last 3 years we've lost Beckenbauer, Pele, Maradonna, Charlton, Greaves, Muller......heaven is taking all them from us.......

Please don't compare The Kaiser to these UK players. Beckenbauer won everything for multiple times

The great great players who've died in recent years is so sad, no one lives for ever but the memories will live on. RIP Der Kaiser. P.S . Jim, it's football not Fute Bawl 😉

Best was Great. Much. Better than any British player ever. But he was not as good as Garrincha much less Pele

@-The-Darkside

4 ай бұрын

Maradonna and Best were better than Pele, they didn't play against amateurs for 90% of their careers. Everytime you check Peles stats they've padded it with more nonsense

@AJ-nd4nk

4 ай бұрын

Disagree. Many great British players are just as good as Best. Different attributes, but still in the same league.

Interesting how players like Pele and Eusebio from that generation were not mentioned as greats. Pele was only talked about for his goals.

How can Simon say George Best was the goat when he himself admitted Bests peak was in 72 when he was 4/5 years of age. He’s not old enough to have seen best at his peak

@Jim-qm9xf

4 ай бұрын

I said this myself. He was over in 4 years and left his club returned below par. Then resurfaced at the 2nd division Fulham. Simon Jordan doesn't know football's history he talks to the Gallery. Oh, Also Peter Beardsley played for the Vancouver whitecaps not NY cosmos . Jordan didn't have people telling the right info.

IMO the name is bigger than the player. Heightwise I think he would fit in the modern game. But he's quite slight and I'm not sure if he can withstand the physical nature of today's game. However he's more attributed for his smarts, so maybe he can play in today's era.

@johnarch6876

4 ай бұрын

Seeing is believing.

Jim talks some 💩

All these plaudits when its clear he hated rhe English. Always knocked us as every opportunity.

@happyapple4269

4 ай бұрын

With good reason to be fair.

@Tosse901

4 ай бұрын

ooooh buhuuuu, so he didn`t was a fan of the english national team as a german player and coach? What a surprise, I bet the english team and staff was always rooting for the german team....grow up.

On the field, Beckenbauer was a great sweeper who modernized the backfield with his skills and vision. But off-field, Beckenbauer was your typical corrupt oligarch in the circle of world football who believed he was above the law of corruption and thievery.

@mariusschulz2926

4 ай бұрын

True words Mate👍

@eirikmoltu553

4 ай бұрын

Every single person interviewed who met him describes him as very down to earth, treating everybody as equals. By the way, only players from that era I have ever, in 50-60 years, read or heard mentioned at the same level (among fans outside Britain, of course) are Pele and Cruyff.

Simon was a 70s brat.

So great he robbed Leeds of the European cup by reminding the bent referee who it was had paid to win the game. Good footballer though!!

@tevildo45

4 ай бұрын

A Leeds fan talking about cheating. Dirty gets cheat every chance ya get

@bapsmcginty4782

4 ай бұрын

@@tevildo45 Facts. Not disrespecting the dead. Well documented case of corruption and bribery. And before you get a hard on about Don Revie and Gary Sprake's allegations. Never substantiated.

How could these two clowns forget the best player of all time; PELE!!!!!!