RIP Franz Beckenbauer

FC Barcelona joins the football world in mourning the loss of one of the sport's greatest ambassadors, Franz Beckenbauer, at the age of 78. The Kàiser, one of the greatest legends of German and world football, was a brilliant player, especially for Bayern Munich, with whom he won four Bundesligas and three European Cups, and for his country, with which he won the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974.

He is one of just three men who have won the World Cup both as a player and coach, winning it as the latter in 1990. He became the first ever defender to win the Ballon d'Or, doing so twice (1972 and 1976), and was among the top three on five separate occasions.

Although he never played a competitive match against Barça, Beckenbauer did play the Catalans in two friendlies. The first was in the semi-finals of the Joan Gamper Trophy in 1967, which Barça won 2--1 in extra time, although Beckenbauer himself had to withdraw injured.

Two years later, in 1969, the teams met in Casablanca, Morocco in the final of the Mohamed V Trophy. Barça won that game too, on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Although Barça thus had very little immediate contact with the German great, the story could easily have been very different. In 1976, Barça's then manager Hennes Weisweiler was keen to sign his compatriot, and even called him personally in an attempt to convince him to come to Catalonia. Beckenbauer himself recalled the incident many years later, saying "Weisweiler asked if I wanted to go to Barcelona. But I said, hey, you already have Johan Cruyff, and he said that was true but he was having problems with the Dutchman and he wanted me. Things went no further than that and eventually it was Weisweiler who had to go!"

Although he never came, Beckenbauer admitted that he was greatly honoured by Barça's interest. Instead, he remained a Bayern legend, and Cruyff was one at Barça. Two of the greatest players ever to grace the game, and who shall always be remembered.