FRANZ BECKENBAUER’S widow Heidi led an emotional tribute to her late husband ahead of Germany vs Scotland at Euro 2024.
The German legend and former European Championship winner passed away in January of this year.
AFPHeidi Beckenbauer paid tribute to her late husband Franz Beckenbauer at the Euro 2024 opener[/caption]
ITVHeidi carried the trophy out on the pitch[/caption]
ITVShe blew a kiss to the sky after placing the trophy down[/caption]
APFranz Beckenbauer died in January of this year[/caption]
With Germany hosting the Euros this summer a tribute was paid to ‘the Kaiser’, who is one of the country’s greatest ever players.
Prior to kick off in the tournament opener between the Germans and Scotland, Beckenbauer’s wife Heidi was tasked with bringing out the Henri Delaunay trophy.
Heidi fought back tears as she headed out onto the pitch at the Allianz Arena while fans clapped her in appreciation.
Images of Beckenbauer could be seen displayed on the big screen as she made her way out on the field.
While a tribute read: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for football, we will never forget you.”
Heidi then heartbreakingly looked up to the sky and blew a kiss.
Heidi Beckenbauer was joined in the tribute by Germany’s two living European Championship winning captains – Bernard Dietz and Jurgen Klinsmann.
Klinsmann was the man with the armband in 1990, while Dietz led the German’s to European success in 1980.
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Beckenbauer’s glittering career
By Etienne Fermie
Franz Beckenbauer began his legendary career with hometown club Bayern Munich after catching their eye aged just 14.
The defender went on to debut with Bayern at 18 in 1964.
He would play over 500 times for the Bundesliga giants, winning everything there was to win in the game.
Having stacked up four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, three European Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup, the man dubbed “Der Kaiser” left Bayern after 18 years to move Stateside with New York Cosmos in 1977.
Beckenbauer starred alongside the likes of Pele and Carlos Alberto in the Big Apple, winning the North American Soccer League three times before returning to Germany in 1980, subsequently adding yet another Bundesliga title with Hamburg.
In addition to his sensational club career, Der Kaiser starred for his country, playing 103 times for West Germany and scoring 14 goals.
He became West Germany captain in 1972, and subsequently skippered them to Euros glory before lifting the World Cup two years later.
Beckenbauer also enjoyed great success as a manager, guiding his country to further World Cup glory at Italia 1990, Marseille to Ligue 1 success in 1991 and Bayern to Bundesliga and Uefa Cup trophies between 1993 and 1996.
Beckenbauer, who passed away at the age of 78, was the captain when Germany won the Euros in 1972.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner also led Germany to World Cup glory in 1974.
At club level Beckenbauer won four league titles and three Champions League‘s with Bayern Munich.
Beckenbauer and Heidi married in 2006 and were together until his death earlier this year.
During their time together they welcomed two children, daughter Francessca in 2000 and son Joel on October 28, 2003.
Getty – ContributorFranz Beckenbauer led Germany to European success in 1972[/caption]
GettyHeidi and Franz married in 2006 and had two children[/caption]