Farewell, football legend: local icons share how Beckenbauer influenced them

KUALA LUMPUR – As present footballers lace up their boots and fans fill stadiums, the Kaiser’s spirit will dance on the pitch, a testament to the enduring impact of a legend who once graced the beautiful game with unparalleled artistry and grace. 

Franz Beckenbauer, often hailed as the “Kaiser” for his commanding presence on the pitch, transcended the ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the beautiful game. 

His vision, grace, and strategic brilliance were a symphony that echoed through stadiums, captivating the imagination of millions. Whether orchestrating from the backline or leading his team with grace, Beckenbauer’s influence was akin to a musician conducting a symphony. 

Known for his legendary skills, Beckenbauer pioneered the role of a sweeper, seamlessly blending defensive solidity with attacking prowess, a skill also known as “libero” in the modern footballing term. 

The libero role was later mastered and perfected by several footballers in the modern era such as Paolo Maldini, Sergio Ramos, Rio Ferdinand, and Virgil van Dijk. 

Beckenbauer, who captained the country’s team to World Cup victory in 1974 and then won the tournament again as manager in 1990, has died at the age of 78. 

As news of Beckenbauer’s passing reverberated across the globe, tributes poured in from former and current football stars, acknowledging the profound impact he had on the sport. 

Closer to home, former Malaysian football icons joined the chorus of admiration for the legend. 

Speaking to Scoop, former national team captain Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan shared his fond memories of having a chance to interact with his footballing idol. 

“Beckenbauer has always been an inspiration for me when I was playing football during my younger days, and I learned a lot from him – especially on how to conduct myself on the pitch and be a skilful footballer. 

“I remember watching him in the 70s, and I used to practice my inside and outside skills just by watching him play on television.  

“His contribution to the footballing world is enormous, and I still remember the day when he gave exposure to Major League Soccer in the United States by playing for New York Cosmos in 1983. 

“I had an opportunity to meet and talk to him when we came down to the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in the early 2000s, and I was speechless and nervous when I spoke to him. 

“It was a great feeling to finally meet my idol in real life, and I’m sad to know that he’s no more. May his soul rest in peace,” said Zainal, who won 116 caps and scored 50 goals for Malaysia. 

Meanwhile, former Kedah FC coach Azraai Khor Abdullah said that he learned most of his coaching attributes from Beckenbauer, especially in the field of sports science. 

“Beckenbauer is the number one person I look up to as a coach. I’m a big fan of his leadership skills as he was always passionate and encouraged his team to give their 200% in tournaments while maintaining a calm posture. 

“He was a coach who kept evolving and was always knowledgeable about the latest developments in the game, emphasising the field of sports science. 

“I have always wanted to emulate whatever he did, whether it was on the pitch or off the pitch. 

“Hence, I became the first football coach in Malaysia to pursue a sports science course in 1990, and I also upgraded my course in 1994. 

“Perhaps my idolisation towards Beckenbauer was the reason for my success at Kedah FC, which also moulded me into one of the best coaches in the country. 

“His demise is not only a loss for German football but for the whole world,” said Azraai, who is known for his historic back-to-back domestic trebles with Kedah FC (2006/07 and 2007/08). 

Born in Munich in 1945, Beckenbauer helped establish Bayern Munich as his country’s strongest club. 

His Bayern Munich team was the best club side in the world during the mid-1970s, winning three successive European Cups and three successive Bundesliga titles, and Beckenbauer himself was twice named European Footballer of the Year. 

When he was the national team manager, his West Germany team lost in the 1986 World Cup final to Argentina but triumphed four years later in Italy as a combined German team. 

After coaching, Beckenbauer moved into football administration. However, in 2016, he was fined by FIFA’s ethics committee for failing to cooperate with an inquiry into corruption over the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. 

Over the next few years, he was engaged in tending to health issues, and the last time he appeared at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena was in August 2022 when he attended a match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach. – January 9, 2024