From England to Italy: world football bids farewell to Beckenbauer

Lionel Messi, former Italian greats from the legendary 1970 World Cup semi-final and England's Gary Lineker chimed in as world football bid farewell to German icon Franz Beckenbauer whose death at age 78 was announced on Monday.

Messi, who captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and also won countless titles and awards while at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, posted a picture of Beckenbauer on his Instagram story.

It included the letters QEPD which is short for Spanish "Que en paz descanses" and translates into "May you rest in piece."

Beckenbauer, who in 1974 captained and in 1990 coached West Germany to World Cup glory, once said about Messi that "his talent, his movement and his abilities are extraordinary."

In Italy, Gazzetta dello Sport named Beckenbauer "a football myth" on their website and several players from the epic 1970 game in Mexico City's Azteka Stadium paid tribute to Beckenbauer who completed the "Match of the Century" the Azzuri won 4-3 in extra time with a broken collarbone.

"He was the greatest footballer of all time. He was also there, in front of the goal when I scored for 4-3. I perfectly remember his face. Only the goalkeeper, Sepp Maier, was more angry. But he bid farewell to us after the game. He was a gentleman, also off the pitch," then Italy forward Gianni Rivera told the ANSA news agency.

Roberto Boninsegna, who had scored Italy's early opener which was cancelled out by Karl-Heinz Schnellinger's 90th minute equalizer to set the extraordinary extra time, named Beckenbauer "a playmaker and leader of this great team.

"He was everywhere. He was a true team player with extraordinary elegance. He gave his best despite the injured arm," Boninsegna said, adding that Beckenbauer belongs to "Mt Olympos of the greatest of all time," Boninsegna said.

The Dutch federation KNVB, whose team led by Johan Cruyff lost the 1974 World Cup final in Munich against Beckenbauer's West Germany, said on X, formerly Twitter: "A true icon of the game. Rest in peace Franz."

Lineker was part of the England team that lost the 1990 semi-final on penalties against the Germans coached by Beckenbauer who went on to win the title.

"Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP," Lineker said on X.

Beckenbauer had lost the 1966 World Cup final 4-2 with West Germany against England at Wembley, and the English FA named him "One of the greats of our game" on X.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA boss Alexander Ceferin also paid tribute to Beckenbauer who apart from national titles also won plenty of silverware with Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos and SV Hamburg.

Infantino named Beckenbauer "a legend of German and world football" in his Instagram story.

"Der Kaiser was a really great person, a friend of football, a champion and a real legend. We will never forget you, dear Franz."

Ceferin said in a UEFA statement: "The football world mourns the loss of the legendary Kaiser. His unparalleled versatility, graceful transitions between defence and midfield, impeccable ball control, and visionary style reshaped the way football was played in his era.

"Beckenbauer's legacy as one of football's all-time greats is beyond dispute. Farewell to a true legend."

And Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president when Beckenbauer was chief organizer of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, named him "one of its most outstanding players and one of its most influential personalities.

"If you want to honour Franz in sporting terms, only the greatest players in history can serve as a benchmark: Pelé, the Brazilian genius, Alfredo di Stefano, the marvellous Argentinian - or Johan Cruyff, the magnificent Dutch attacking virtuoso," Blatter said.