'Der Kaiser': Franz Beckenbauer Honoured With Statue Outside Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 10:40 IST

The statue of the iconic Libero outside the Bayern stadium was unveiled on the day after what would have been his 80th birthday.

Franz Beckenbauer statue outside the Allianz Arena. (X)

Germany football legend Franz Beckenbauer was honoured by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich as the Bavarian giants unveiled a bronze statue of the World Cup-winner outside the Allianz Arena on Friday.

The statue of the iconic Libero outside the Bayern Munich stadium was unveiled on the day after what would have been his 80th birthday, and sees the likeness depicted with the German on the ball.

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Known as the ‘Kaiser’, the German word for emperor, due to his elegant and commanding playing style, the statue is the latest tribute to Beckenbauer, who passed away in January 2024 at the age of 78.

In a characteristic pose in his typical ‘Libero’ position behind the defence, Beckenbauer, born in Munich, is widely credited with reinventing this role during the 1970s.

Beckenbauer achieved significant success, winning the Bundesliga and the World Cup both as a player and a manager, as well as lifting the European Cup, the precursor to today’s Champions League, three times from 1974 to 1976.

“Standing here today, unveiling the statue and seeing how many people have come along is a moving moment," said Bayern president Herbert Hainer.

“I had become very good friends with Franz Beckenbauer over the past few years. We all miss him – not just as a footballer, but above all as a person."

Beckenbauer’s red Bayern no. 5 jersey is also painted into the Allianz Arena rafters, and the street leading up to the stadium has been renamed Franz Beckenbauer Place.

The German Super Cup, a pre-season match featuring the league and cup winners, was renamed the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup ahead of this season.

Opening in 2005, the Allianz Arena was planned and built under Beckenbauer’s leadership, along with long-time Bayern powerbrokers Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, both of whom attended the event on Friday.

The statue is the second to be erected on the esplanade outside the 75,000-seat stadium, following the one of former Bayern and Germany striker Gerd Mueller.

Munich mayor Dieter Reiter stated the statue is “the highest honour the city can bestow on someone posthumously".

Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1972 and 1976, making him the only defender in history to win the award on two or more occasions.

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