The position of the Kaiser was in 1966 the "Mittelläufer" (middle runner), a central midfield player. After 1969 he played the position of the "Libero", which means "free man". It is in defensive position identical with a sweeper and in offensive position a midfield player. The Libero was never a centre back. Depending on the system of the opponent, the Libero was accompanied by one or two center backs.
Some confusion among modern day viewers. In a time when shirt numbers clearly defined the player's postion within the team structure Beckenbauer as No 4 was a half back or wing half, who performed a largely attacking role at this stage of his career. He was given a specific job to nullify Bobby Charlton in the 66 Final which robbed us of both player's attacking flair. In his later career he made the more defensive position of sweeper his own.
Most people say that Pele is the most complete player of all time but in my mind Franz Beckenbauer is the most complete player in the history of the beautiful game. I mean Beckenbauer was one of the best if not the best defensive player of all time but as if that wasn´t enough he also had offensive abilities that could make most forwards and offensive midfielders green with envy. I am not saying that Beckenbauer was a better player than Pele but I am saying that he was more complete.
I was told frequently by different people as a kid that i had a touch of the kaiser, beckenbauer etc but i never knew who he was at the young age of 8...
but the lures of positions further up field and the goals lead me astray and so i lost my Beck touch and eventually quit :( (for basketball)
I dont think i was great...and comparing me to this legend was clearly wishfulthinking in my view.
What an absolute master of the game - simply fantastisch!
Before Beckenbauer, football was amazing, but when he arrived, it became a high art.
GordonMorrice 6 months ago
The position of the Kaiser was in 1966 the "Mittelläufer" (middle runner), a central midfield player. After 1969 he played the position of the "Libero", which means "free man". It is in defensive position identical with a sweeper and in offensive position a midfield player. The Libero was never a centre back. Depending on the system of the opponent, the Libero was accompanied by one or two center backs.
kdessler 7 months ago
Good God. Amazing performance...
benitocorleone 7 months ago
Franz, Der Kaiser, the greatest player we have ever produced!!
jkoff76 1 year ago 2
Some confusion among modern day viewers. In a time when shirt numbers clearly defined the player's postion within the team structure Beckenbauer as No 4 was a half back or wing half, who performed a largely attacking role at this stage of his career. He was given a specific job to nullify Bobby Charlton in the 66 Final which robbed us of both player's attacking flair. In his later career he made the more defensive position of sweeper his own.
wednesbury67 1 year ago 2
Germany forever!!! the most complete player of all times
Franz Beckembauer
martinri89 1 year ago 2
May be it is the eather ball!
k66shogun 1 year ago
Fantastic!!! no one like the Kaiser!
PsiquiatraTakamura 1 year ago 3
I think that Franz Beckenbauer is the best defender of all times. He was very strong, infact he knew defend and to score.
giovabis92 2 years ago
@giovabis92 Everyone classes him as defender but i keep constantly seeing him attack. I keep trying to find videos showing his defending ability,
Phenomenon58 1 year ago
Most people say that Pele is the most complete player of all time but in my mind Franz Beckenbauer is the most complete player in the history of the beautiful game. I mean Beckenbauer was one of the best if not the best defensive player of all time but as if that wasn´t enough he also had offensive abilities that could make most forwards and offensive midfielders green with envy. I am not saying that Beckenbauer was a better player than Pele but I am saying that he was more complete.
Goren37saik 2 years ago 7
he had a great physique for that time like cristiano ronaldo has today the same type...
Robygol89 2 years ago
shieetttt da gruaniad lynx ear
rastabus 2 years ago
Franz Beckenbauer what a player
z65nik 3 years ago 19
Germany forever!!!!!
fcbayjako 3 years ago 7
I was told frequently by different people as a kid that i had a touch of the kaiser, beckenbauer etc but i never knew who he was at the young age of 8...
but the lures of positions further up field and the goals lead me astray and so i lost my Beck touch and eventually quit :( (for basketball)
I dont think i was great...and comparing me to this legend was clearly wishfulthinking in my view.
What an absolute master of the game - simply fantastisch!
pblz1291 3 years ago
Yeah, my dad told me I was better than johan cruyff, pele, puskas and romario put together, but I quit to play chess
mccsa200 2 years ago 4
for a center back, utterly amazing player. nobody has come even close!
Mazurka1001 3 years ago 13
think he played as a offensive midfielder in his first years
Tobias83ausmdorf 3 years ago 3
yes i have the same impression also watching this video but maybe not so advanced... more like e playmaker next to defence...
Robygol89 2 years ago
@Mazurka1001
never ever ever was he a "centre back"
elemenoelemeno 1 year ago
@Mazurka1001
He played in midfield during that world cup and later became a sweeper, never a centre half!!!
corkieldry 7 months ago
genial
Karlitos1967 3 years ago 6