Beckenbauer, also called “der Kaiser” (the emperor) and “Kaiser Franz”, has several German titles in his medal cabinet, as well as a World Cup gold medal, a World Cup silver and a bronze in the World Cup with West Germany. He died aged 78 and is considered one of the best footballers in the world, where he was at his best at Bayern Munich.

He also had a successful coaching career where he won a World Cup gold medal with Germany and several league titles.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday Sunday, surrounded by his family. We ask that we be able to grieve in silence and refrain from answering any questions.“, wrote the family in a press release.

Bild newspaper reports that the legend's health is at its worst in a long time, as he suffers from an eye infarction, heart surgery, Parkinson's disease and related dementias.

“I would also have been a big star in today’s football”

– Intelligent, elegant and tactical player. A leader on the plane. He pushed West Germany forward, Ralf Edström tells SVT Sport.

When Edström compares Beckenbauer to other great players over the years, he tops the list.

– He is one of the 15 to 20 best football players of all time. It is difficult to compare. But I'm 100 percent sure that if he played today he would have been a big star. With this intelligence, he would also have been a big star in today's football, Edström believes.