Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Anton Beckenbauer was born in the working-class district of Giesing in Munich. Joining the youth ranks of FC Bayern Munich in 1959 after an infamous altercation with a player from rivals 1860 Munich, Beckenbauer helped Bayern earn promotion to the Bundesliga in 1965. Combining aristocratic elegance on the ball with immaculate defensive tackling, Beckenbauer redefined the sweeper (libero) position, transforming it from a purely defensive cleanup role into the primary creative launchpad for team attacks.

As captain of Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won four Bundesliga titles and led the club to a historic three-peat of European Champion Clubs' Cups in 1974, 1975, and 1976. For his extraordinary technical mastery and supreme poise under pressure, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1972 and 1976, an unprecedented feat for a defensive player.

On the international stage, Beckenbauer earned 103 caps for West Germany. After playing with a dislocated shoulder in a sling during the 1970 'Game of the Century' against Italy, he captained West Germany to victory at the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup on home soil in Munich. Returning as national manager, he led a reunited Germany to World Cup victory at Italia '90, before successfully orchestrating Germany's bid and hosting of the acclaimed 2006 World Cup ('A Time to Make Friends').