Not German and perhaps as an Englishman (but I would lean more towards Wales) I’ll probably get deported for saying this but Beckenbauer had a big influence on me as a kid.

This was a master of the art of football and a real legend kids could look up to. Before I saw this man playing in the World Cup and internationals against England I didn’t understand defenders would be skillful and just as good to watch as the leading attackers in the game. Bobby Moore made defending look simple, his class stood out when on England duty but Beckenbauer, less restricted it must be said, made the whole game look easy as he turned defense into attack with little or no effort, it seemed any at the time. Skill, effort & sportsmanship… the perfect footballer.

Thank Franz and RIP.