2024-01-08 17:42:51
A sumptuous rivalry
Beckenbauer/Cruyff was a sumptuous rivalry in the 1970s, comparable to those of Platini and Maradona in the 1980s or more recently of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The era was then taken less seriously and the “Kaiser” and “the Flying Dutchman” maintained bonds of friendship and deep respect. But everyone, from Cruyff to Messi via Platini, Maradona and others (van Basten, Ronaldo the Brazilian) were attacking midfielders or attackers, while Beckenbauer played defender. It was in a unique, revolutionary way.
Franz Beckenbauer in Düsseldorf, September 12, 2014. — © imago sportfotodienst / imago sportfotodienst
With him, the libero (a free player supposed to plug the gaps between his defense line and his goalkeeper) became the first counter-attacker, as well as a retreating leader, a bit like a quarterback in American football. The handsome Franz moved up the field with the ball or delivered a precise pass with his legendary outside feet, strikes which had the advantage of requiring little preparation and therefore surprising the opponent. The effect given to the ball, then made of leather that might be “worked”, caused curved trajectories which went around the obstacle to miraculously fall in front of a teammate.
A first World Cup in 1966
Before becoming an artillery general at the rear, the “Kaiser” had cut his teeth in the heart of battle, as a midfielder. It was in this position that, while still a teenager, he played his first World Cup in 1966 in England.
Former captain of the West German selection in the 1970s, coach of the Mannschaft from 1984 to 1990 and former manager of Bayern Munich in the 1990s, Franz Beckenbauer had withdrawn from public life in recent years due to problems of health.
Another black notebook, Saturday January 6, 2024: The death of Mario Zagallo, Brazilian legend at four World Cups
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