Franz Beckenbauer
Awards & Honours
12
Awards Won
8
Honours
7
Rankings
6
Covers
3
Records
Franz Beckenbauer's career is decorated with historic achievements. He is one of only three men to win the World Cup as both player and captain (1974) and as manager (1990). He won three consecutive European Cups with Bayern Munich from 1974 to 1976, a feat matched by few clubs. Individually, he claimed the Ballon d'Or twice and was named German Footballer of the Year four times. He was voted the World's Best Defender of the 20th Century by the IFFHS and ranked second only to Pelé as the World's Best Player of the Century. His inclusion in the FIFA 100 and numerous all-time greatest lists underscores his lasting legacy.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Grand Cross)
Highest national order, upgraded from Knight Commander's Cross awarded in 1976.
FIFA Order of Merit
Highest honor awarded by FIFA.
Bavarian Order of Merit
State order for outstanding contributions.
German Football Hall of Fame
Inaugural inductee.
German Sports Hall of Fame
Inaugural inductee.
UEFA Golden Player (Germany)
Named Germany's best player of the past 50 years.
Honorary Captain of the German National Team
Lifetime honorary title.
Honorary Citizen of Munich
Highest civic honor.
Rankings & Lists
World's Best Player of the Century
World's Best Defender of the Century
100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century
Player of the Century
100 Greatest Footballers Ever
100 Greatest Footballers of All Time
Greatest Footballers of All Time
Magazine Covers
Time Magazine (European edition)
June 1974
Beckenbauer: The Emperor of German Football
Sports Illustrated
July 8, 1974
The Emperor: Franz Beckenbauer Leads West Germany to World Cup Glory
Der Spiegel
June 1974
Der Kaiser
France Football
December 1972
Ballon d'Or 1972
World Soccer
September 1974
Beckenbauer: The Best in the World
Stern
July 1990
Weltmeister: Der Kaiser
Records & Feats
First defender to win Ballon d'Or
Beckenbauer was the first defender to win the Ballon d'Or in 1972, a feat that highlighted his revolutionary attacking style from the back.
One of only three men to win World Cup as player and manager
Alongside Mário Zagallo and Didier Deschamps, Beckenbauer won the World Cup as captain (1974) and as manager (1990).
Most Ballon d'Or wins by a German
Beckenbauer won the Ballon d'Or twice (1972, 1976), a record for German players.