⚽ Soccer · Sweeper

Franz Beckenbauer

Germany · 1964–1983

Invented the attacking sweeper, then won the World Cup as a manager.

2
Ballons d'Or: 3
European Cups: 103
West Germany caps: 2 (player, manager)
World Cups won

Career

Der Kaiser turned the libero role from a purely defensive insurance policy into a launching point for attacks, stepping out of defence with the ball at a time when defenders were expected to clear it. He lifted the World Cup as captain in 1974 and again as West Germany's manager in 1990, one of only a handful to do both.

Honours

World Cup winner as captain, 1974
World Cup winner as manager, 1990
European Championship winner, 1972
Three European Cups with Bayern Munich

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