Franz Beckenbauer has passed away. What you need to know about the great German

On Monday, January 8th, the legendary German footballer Franz Beckenbauer passed away at the age of 78.

Throughout his career, the German icon achieved numerous team and individual honors. He was awarded the Ballon d'Or for the best European footballer in 1972 and 1976. The early 1970s are remembered for the football rivalry between two geniuses: Dutch forward Johan Cruyff and German libero Franz Beckenbauer.

Beckenbauer's titles and achievements as a player include:

• World Cup Champion: 1974
• World Cup Runner-up: 1966
• Third place in the World Cup: 1970
• European Champion: 1972
• European Runner-up: 1976
• UEFA Champions Cup winner: 1974, 1975, and 1976
• Cup Winners' Cup winner: 1967
• Intercontinental Cup winner: 1976
• German Champion: 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1982
• German Cup winner: 1966, 1967, 1969, and 1971
• US Champion: 1977, 1978, 1980
• Best German Footballer: 1966, 1968, 1974, 1976
• Best US Footballer: 1977

As a coach:

• German Champion: 1994
• UEFA Cup: 1996
• World Cup Champion (as coach): 1990
• World Cup Runner-up (as coach): 1986

Franz Beckenbauer was one of the greatest footballers of his era and a global football legend.

This news was not overlooked by Benfica, the club for which the great Brazilian Eusébio played.