Paul Breitner on Franz Beckenbauer: “The best and most important player in German football after 1954”

Paul Breitner delivered an emotional speech in tribute to his friend and former companion Franz Beckenbauer at The Best FIFA Awards on Monday night. The ceremony in London honoured the Kaiser, England’s Sir Bobby Charlton and Brazil’s Mario Zagallo, who had all passed away in recent months.

Emotional tribute

“Franz was by far the best and most important player in the history of German football after 1954, when Germany first won the World Cup,” said a visibly moved Breitner. “In his private life, Franz was an extraordinary person. After he retired, he spent more than 40 years helping poor and disadvantaged people almost every day. Finally, I’d like to express what a great pleasure and honour it was to have played alongside him.”

FC Bayern will also honour Beckenbauer with a large memorial service at the Allianz Arena on Friday. Friends and companions from national and international sport, culture and politics as well as all fans and the entire football family are set to attend the ceremony to say goodbye to perhaps the greatest figure in the history of German football. You can still get your admission passes for the event HERE.

Find out more about the memorial service here: