“Addio al Kaiser”: Italian football bowed to the German sports legend after the death of Franz Beckenbauer. The sports newspaper “Gazzetta dello Sport” headlined its website: “Farewell to a football myth, farewell to the emperor.”
In particular, several participants in the “game of the century” at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, which Italy won 4-3 in the semi-finals against Germany, highlighted Beckenbauer’s achievements.
The 60-time international striker Gianni Rivera (80), who scored the winning goal for the Azzurri in extra time, told the Ansa news agency: “He was the greatest German footballer of all time. He was also there in front of the goal when I did that 4:3. I remember his face exactly. Only the goalkeeper, Sepp Maier, was even angrier. But at the end of the game he said goodbye to us. He was a great gentleman, even off the pitch.”
Former national player Roberto Boninsegna, who scored the 1-0 win for Italy, praised Beckenbauer as the “director and leader of this great team”. The 80-year-old remembered that he often clashed with Beckenbauer in the semi-finals. “You could find him everywhere. He was a true team player with extraordinary elegance. Despite an injured arm, he managed to do his best.” For him, Beckenbauer belongs in the “Olympus of the greatest of all time”.