The legendary German football player Franz Beckenbauer has passed away. He was 78 years old, TASS reports citing DPA.

Beckenbauer is considered one of the greatest defenders in football history. He was the captain of the German national team, which became the world champion in 1974 and the European champion in 1972. As part of Bayern Munich, Franz won the German championship and cup four times, and the European Champions Cup three times.

Beckenbauer is the only defender to have twice received the Ballon d'Or as the best footballer in Europe (in 1972 and 1976). He is part of the elite club of football players who won the World Cup, the Champions Cup and won the Golden Ball.

After retiring as a player, Beckenbauer achieved success as a coach - in 1990 he led the German national team to the world title. Thus, Franz became one of only three football players in history to win the World Cup both as a player and as a coach (along with Brazilian Mario Zagallo and Frenchman Didier Deschamps).

In 1991, Marseille, under his leadership, became the champion of France. Bayern, with Beckenbauer as head coach, won the German championship (1994) and the UEFA Cup (1996).

The passing of Franz Beckenbauer is a great loss for world football. He will forever remain one of the legends of this sport.