“A moving moment”
FC Bayern puts a monument to Beckenbauer
12.09.2025 – 5:35 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Even over a year after his death, Franz Beckenbauer remains firmly anchored in FC Bayern. The Munichers are now putting a monument to their “emperor”.
20 months after the death of Franz Beckenbauer, a monument was unveiled in honor of the former football “Kaisers” in front of the Munich Allianz Arena. On Friday, club president Herbert Hainer and Beckenbauer’s widow Heidi presented a bronze statue of the former player, trainer and club chiefs. This was done on the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday. In the future, the artwork will be in close proximity to the statue of “Bomber” Gerd Müller on the Arena site.
The statue shows Beckenbauer in 1.5 times size and is mounted on a base in the form of the Bavarian diamond. She was designed by the artist Matilde Romagnoli. With this gesture, the German record champion recognizes the merits of a man who has shaped FC Bayern for decades.
Bavaria President Herbert Hainer said: “To stand here today, to reveal the statue and see how many people have come here is a moving moment.” And further: “I have been very good friends with Franz Beckenbauer in recent years. We miss him all – not only as a footballer, but above all as a person.”
Beckenbauer died on January 7, 2024 at the age of 78. The statue complements a number of honors with which FC Bayern reminds of its legacy: In May, the square in front of the Allianz Arena was renamed “Franz-Beckenbauer-Platz”. In addition, there has been an oversized jersey with its number 5 under the stadium roof for a long time – this number is no longer awarded at Bayern.
Beckenbauer’s meaning was also emphasized outside the club. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf praised him as the “best the German football has ever produced”. In a contribution from the DFB, he said: “Not only did he shine the eyes of those who were lucky enough to see him playing themselves. For a smile full of recognition, the mention of his name was enough. And that around the world.”
Beckenbauer became a European champion in 1972 as a player with the national team, two years later he was captain of the world champion team in his own country. In 1990, Beckenbauer led the German selection as a team leader to the World Cup title. According to Neuendorf, he “not only won titles, but heart. He made a world brand out of German football.”