According to Owen Hargreaves, Franz Beckenbauer possessed a distinct aura reminiscent of the Queen’s exceptional presence.

Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary German footballer, has been hailed as a true great by former Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves. Beckenbauer, affectionately known as ‘The Kaiser’, had an illustrious career, winning numerous titles including five Bundesliga titles, three European Cups, and the 1974 World Cup. He is the only defender to have won the Ballon D’or twice and is credited with revolutionizing the role of the sweeper.

Hargreaves, now a pundit for TNT Sports, spoke highly of Beckenbauer’s skills and elegance on the pitch, stating that he was ahead of his time. He described Beckenbauer as a true legend and one of the last great superstars of his era. The passing of Beckenbauer is a bitter loss for the soccer world, especially for those who knew him personally.

After retiring as a player, Beckenbauer went on to manage the German national team, leading them to a runner-up finish in the 1986 World Cup and winning the tournament four years later. He is one of only three men to have achieved the feat of winning the World Cup as both a player and a manager. Beckenbauer also served as the president of Bayern Munich, where he formed a close relationship with Hargreaves.

Hargreaves, who joined Bayern in 1997, credits Beckenbauer for kick-starting his career. As president, Beckenbauer was one of the first to recognize Hargreaves’ talent and express his admiration for the young Canadian player. Hargreaves went on to have a successful seven-year stint at Bayern, winning four Bundesliga titles and the European Cup before moving to Manchester United.

Hargreaves speaks fondly of his time with Beckenbauer, describing him as an outstanding personality and a special person. He recalls the aura and presence that Beckenbauer exuded, comparing it to the feeling he had when meeting the Queen. Hargreaves emphasizes that Beckenbauer was a unique figure, even among the other great personalities at Bayern Munich such as Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.