Two legends of football have died

I saw Franz Beckenbauer has died.

What would he be worth today in his prime?

RIP, Der Kaiser...

Very unpatriotic of me, I apologise, but I loved that West German side in 1966. Had it not been for the immaculate Ramon Wilson, I'd have supported them in the final.

No need to apologise, Alan.

My cousin worked in Munich in the early 80s and met him at a function.

He said he was an absolute gentleman who spoke to him at length about English and German football. He had great respect for English football and stated that he loved playing against England.

Alan,

I had a bet on Germany to win that final, loved Ray Wilson myself but he was at fault for the first Germany goal that day in a fairly even game.

Argentina were the best team in that 1966 World Cup in my opinion, Alf Ramsey called them animals which was a bit ironic with Nobby Styles in the England team!

The original sweeper?

One of the greatest.

Boots named after him.

Football has lost a true legend.

Rolls-Royce of a player.

I forgot about the boots, Danny, they where a must have when I was a nipper.

Dave...

That was the only mistake I ever recall Ramon making. Saved for when one billion were watching. Everton that 🤣

Respektieren. Der Kieser war auf und neben dem Feld ein Mann von Qualität. Mein Beileid gilt seiner Familie und dem deutschen Fußball. Ein trauriger Verlust für uns alle.

Respect. Der Kieser was a man of quality on and off the field. My condolences to his family and German football. A sad loss for us all. Truly a football great, Heaven has its own footballing Holy Trinity of Pele, Charlton and Beckenbauer.

Der Kaiser defined elegance on a football pitch. A commanding presence never subsequently duplicated even by the likes of Zidane, Maldini and Pique. I had the privilege of seeing him play in person, in the late 1970s with the NASL Cosmos in Chicago. Saw him flick a 30-yard curving ball with the outside of his foot, inch-perfect pass.

Danny #69, unless it was a muddy pitch, I wore nothing but Beckenbauers for most of my 50 years as a player, and I still wear Adidas Mundial Teams, the modern name for Becks, to referee.

Beckenbauer made the game look so easy critics said he was shit – it's true.

Foxed by his complete mastery of the football, timing, positioning, passing and uber confidence, they thought he was on a Sunday afternoon stroll. Apparently running around like a loon shouting, screaming, pointing and leaving the foot in makes you more effective – hence Vinny Jones.

Der Kaiser one of the true greats when being a "great" wasn't dependent on marketing campaigns and marrying a Spice girl.

Great player Beckenbauer, doubt Leeds would agree though after that final, there again Leeds kicked teams off the pitch, so no angels themselves.

Interesting triangle of events there, Leeds were a dirty team and were called out by Clough, Leeds accused Beckenbauer of changing the refs mind, to rule a goal out in the final, then you have Clough calling Leeds cheats, only for him to obtain over 2,000 tickets for a Forest cup final, passed on to touts to earn him a backhander, doing his own supporters out of a cup final ticket, with Man Utd fans obtaining those tickets off the touts.

Beckenbauer was one of the all time greats, made the game look so easy, up there for me along with Cruyff, Pele and Eusebio.

RIP Franz B, classy, stylish, smooth, wonderful passer of the ball, always butterflies whenever he moved forwards with the ball from his own area, lovely relationship with Bobby Charlton.

RIP, Der Kaiser and Mario Zagallo – both true footballing Legends, inspirational to football supporters across the globe.

I don't see any other existing players or managers eclipsing what they achieved as players and managers.

Not even Wayne Rooney, Paul?

Paul, alas, no.

Not sure he was the first sweeper Danny.

A lot of innovative coaches were experimenting with the position for a while before he came along. Der Kaiser simply put into practice what they all had in mind...And how.

Best, Cruyff, Pele, Bekenbauer, to name just a few. They're assembling some team up there.

When God sends his team down from Heaven to face those of us who remain. We`ll need to get 11 men behind the ball and pray like fuck for penalties.

One of the greats. I think Branthwaite has some of his skills.

Beckenbauer was magnificent even when he played with his arm in a sling.

Nice touch Christine saying it in Deutsch.

Dave Cashen, I'd add Maradona to that list. And now, probably Messi.

Very few dine at the top table even though we throw the term "legend" around way too easily these days.

And I know there aren't many followers of the egg-chasing game on here, but JPR Williams also died yesterday. An absolute sporting legend.

Paul @20,

Whilst not a big fan of the egg-chasing game, sporting legends such as JPR Williams will always be held in high esteem by those of us, of a certain age, who had the privilege to watch him and his team live on the BBC along with many others from so many different sports who were also shown live on terrestrial TV.

We didn't realise how spoiled we were, being able to watch some of the all-time greats from cricket, boxing, rugby etc – all for the price of the licence fee.

Paul @20.

Both codes of the egg-chasing game are better than this current football we watch. Though Rugby League is my favourite.

Paul @22, depending on your age, I bet you can still hear Eddie Waring saying "Welcome to r r r r Awigan" and "It's an up an under!"

No idea why he used to say three letters r, before he threw a letter A joined on to 'Wigan. Then he went onto It's A Knockout, popping up saying "Charnock Richards are playing their joker… 2 points to Charnock Richards, they played their joker so double it up to 4..."

Now any of the younger generation reading this will be thinking "What the hell is he drinking?" while the older generation will reminisce of those bygone days.

Love a game of Union but Rrrrragby League has been ruined for me by the 5th tackle rule...

[Doffs pork pie hat, Eddie Waring style…]

Paul (22),

I grew up in Liverpool in a family of Toffees but living and working in Warrington got me following Rugby League. As others have said, I have got to the stage of preferring it to footy as the players and refs just have so much more integrity. I will never stop supporting the Blues but I am looking forward to the start of the Rugby League season in a few weeks.

Final word, there is so much the Premier League could learn from how League (and Union) use TMO (ther version of the VAR) without any trouble.

Because they are transparent, audible and competent, Steve.

Steve @25.

I can't wait for the rugby season to start either. Something to watch instead of football. Being a Saints fan, I'm hoping we can win back our trophy. Be interesting to see how Sam Burgess does for your team?

Respect to both with thoughts for each family. I agree on the view of Brazil 70.

Dale, nice words.

Mario Zagallo?

I was a big follower of Brazil in the fifties and since then, saw both the 1958 and 1962 World Cups when Pele dominated the headlines, a 17-year-old becoming a superstar as each game was played and carried on being one right up to the 1970 World Cup and playing in that splendid team, one of the best, as Brian Harrison states.

Mario? Forgive my ignorance, how could I miss him? I honestly don't even know what position he played in, and no one has mentioned it on this thread, I must have been spellbound watching Pele, even then did Pele play in the 1962 World Cup?

Apologies to the late Mario Zagallo it was my loss not remembering him.