The international football community received terrible news this morning (January 9th) when German football star Franz Beckenbauer passed away at the age of 78. Beckenbauer has been suffering from dementia in recent years. His memory and health had both deteriorated significantly.

During his great career, while still playing football, Beckenbauer made a unique impression by reinventing the sweeper position from the prior conventional manner of playing. Beckenbauer has been a crucial player with the two teams he has left the most of an influence on: Bayern Munich Club and West Germany National Team. He is able to control the ball wonderfully and knows how to defend and attack very flexibly.

Beckenbauer has won numerous prestigious titles with Bayern Munich, including five Bundesliga crowns and three European Cups. Beckenbauer led West Germany to Euro 1972 and World Cup 1974 victories. Beckenbauer was dubbed “Emperor” because of his commanding leadership style.

Beckenbauer won the 1990 World Cup with the German squad before becoming a coach. He is also one of the few people who have won the world title as both a player and a coach.

Many notable players from around the world expressed their condolences and appreciation for Beckenbauer after his gone. Messi shared a photo of Beckenbauer with the message “May he rest in peace” on social media.

Messi is Argentine, and Argentine football has had many notable encounters with West German football throughout its history. West Germany, led by Beckenbauer, fell to Argentina’s late iconic Diego Maradona team in the 1986 World Cup final before capturing the championship match four years later. Those things did not make Messi less respectful of Beckenbauer, and he acted extremely emotionally, demonstrating his admiration for international football’s forefather.