The legendary German footballer, regarded as one of the greatest players in the world, who passed away earlier this year, will be remembered forever with the honour of having his name given to one of the streets next to the Bayern Munich stadium where the midfielder spent 13 years of his career.
The street is currently called Werner-Heisenberg-Allee and is located next to the Bayern Munich stadium. The change, which is expected to become official at the beginning of the year, means that the stadium – which will host the Champions League final in May 2025 – will officially be located at Franz Beckenbauer Platz 5, the midfielder’s shirt number.
The news was announced by Munich City Council last Thursday and the process of implementing the change is already underway. The aim is to complete the process by 7 January. This will coincide with the anniversary of the unforgettable footballer’s death at the age of 78.
“The naming of a street is the highest honour the city of Munich can bestow posthumously, and it is a sign of the deep respect and esteem we have for Franz Beckenbauer,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter in a statement.
“He left a lasting mark on Germany’s sporting landscape with his sporting successes and his commitment to football. His calm, humorous character and his way of expressing himself will always be part of Munich’s way of life,” Reiter added.
Beckenbauer was nicknamed ‘The Emperor’ for his dominant style on the pitch. He became one of the most important footballers of his time with his effortless, skilful play, excellent ball control and remarkable technical ability.
He was a leader on the pitch as well as in the dressing room, serving as captain of both Bayern Munich and the German national team.
Beckenbauer won it all. He achieved everything in the world of football and his personality earned him the respect of everyone in the game. He is one of the few players to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager. He has also won the European Championship and the Ballon d’Or, arguably the highest accolade a footballer can achieve.
At the 1974 World Cup, which he won as a player, he was at the helm of one of the best German teams ever to play effective football. Because of its superiority and strict discipline, the German national team was from then on nicknamed “The Steamroller”.
Meanwhile, the World Cup he won as coach in 1990 will always be remembered forthe final in which Germany defeated Maradona’s Argentina in Italy. The Argentine legend, who was an idol of the team, was reduced to tears as the Germans lifted the trophy.
During his 13 years with Bayern, the Munich-born midfielder won three European Cups and four Bundesliga titles. He later added another league title with Hamburg, his other German club, in 1981-82, but his heart always belonged to Bayern. He finished his career with the New York Cosmos in the United States.
Beckenbauer will also be honoured with a statue outside the stadium. He will sit alongside his Bayern and Germany team-mate Gerd Müller, two legends of German and world football.
