At club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976. The latter feat made him the first player to win three European Cups as captain of his club. He became team manager and later president of Bayern Munich. After two spells with the New York Cosmos he was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Beckenbauer led Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup and chaired the organizing committee. Beckenbauer began his professional career with Bayern Munich in the early 1960s. His versatility allowed him to excel in multiple positions, but he became famous as a sweeper (libero)—a role that he essentially redefined. Unlike traditional defenders, he would often step into midfield, initiate attacks, and dictate the tempo of the game. This style revolutionized defensive play and inspired generations of defenders after him.
