The FIGC and the federal president Gabriele Gravina mourn the loss of Franz Beckenbauer and send their condolences to the family of the German champion, who has passed away at the age of 78. A global football legend, among the greatest defenders of all time and a two-time Ballon d'Or winner in 1972 and 1976, the 'Kaiser' managed to win the World Cup both as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990 (joining him in this feat is the Brazilian Mario Zagallo, who passed away three days ago, and the Frenchman Didier Deschamps). He scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for West Germany, also winning the European Championship in 1972.

A true symbol of Bayern Munich (433 appearances and 60 goals from 1964 to 1977), where he was honorary president, he won three European Cups, the Intercontinental Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup, four league titles and four German Cups. Then came the transfer to the N.Y. Cosmos, where he won three North American championships, and, lastly, he ended his career winning a German league title with Hamburg.

His coaching career was also full of successes, including the World Cup victory with Germany in 1990, and a league title and a UEFA Cup with Bayern Munich. A memorable protagonist of the ‘Game of the Century’ against Italy in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where he courageously remained on the field despite being injured, Beckenbauer also served as the president of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup, which concluded with Italy's triumph in Berlin.