FRANZ BECKENBAUER

FRANZ BECKENBAUER(der Kaiser)
BORN: SEP. 11, 1945
COUNTRY: West Germany
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3 tournaments ('66, '70, '74)
CLUBS: Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos
World cup histories:
1966 World Cup - England
Beckenbauer played in three World Cup tournaments. At 21, he played as right half in the German midfield, He scored an impressive total of 3 goals, In the final against England, he was assigned to mark England ace Bobby Charlton. West Germany lost the game to the controversial second-goal and ended the Kaiser's first World Cup adventure.
1970 World Cup – Mexico
Beckenbauer was the world's first libero.Germany played well in this tournament, including a quarter-final defeat of the reigning champions England, a match which Beckenbauer also contributed one of the goals.
1974 WORLD CUP - West Germany
in the 1972 European championship, he switched position and played in defence. With Muller and Breitner by his side, West Germany improved from a slow start to their campaign. Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts marshalled their defence superbly and overcame Cruyff's Dutch side in a difficult Final. Beckenbauer led West Germany to triumph in front of their own fans, and became one the greatest captains to lift the trophy.