West Germany's captain Franz Beckenbauer with the World Cup trophy after beating the Dutch in the final of the 1974 edition. Photo: AFP

West German captain Franz Beckenbauer after beating Sweden in the 1974 World Cup. File photo: AFP/Jan Collsioo

Franz Beckenbauer, who was nicknamed 'Der Kaiser' (the Emperor), poses in Paris on February 21, 1977. File photo: AFP

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer poses after winning the Lifetime achievement award at the 2007 Laureus Sports Awards. File photo: AFP

Brazilian football legend Pele and Franz Beckenbauer in New York on April 17, 2015. File photo: AFP/Timothy A Clary