Bayern unveil Beckenbauer statue outside Allianz Arena | OneFootball

Just one day after his 80th birthday, FC Bayern has ceremoniously unveiled a new monument for Franz Beckenbauer. Family, companions, club officials, and numerous fans gathered in front of the Allianz Arena to honor the "Kaiser". With the statue, one of the greatest footballers of all time receives a worthy place - and another place of remembrance for generations of fans.

The bronze monument was created within 14 months, is 4.2 meters high, weighs 1.2 tons, and stands on a base in the shape of the Bayern diamond. The statue was designed by the artist Matilde Romagnoli and made in the traditional Munich art foundry. The base comes from the Gugg Bell and Art Foundry in Straubing.

The representation shows Beckenbauer in a sovereign pose, controlling the ball and looking far across the field. Calmness, overview, and elegance - those attributes that distinguished his game as a "conductor and director" - are captured in the bronze. They make it clear why Beckenbauer is considered a defining figure in football not only at FC Bayern but worldwide.

"It is a gift from fans for fans"

Bayern President Herbert Hainer explained: "This monument is a piece of FC Bayern Munich's DNA, cast in bronze. A very heartfelt thank you to the Kurt Landauer Foundation, which made this work of art possible. It is a gift from fans for fans, in the spirit of Franz Beckenbauer."

Heidi Beckenbauer, the wife of the "Kaiser" who passed away in 2024, was also moved: "As a family, we are very pleased about the statue, with which our favorite person has received a worthy place in front of the stadium."

The monument stands on the esplanade of the Allianz Arena, about 100 meters from the Gerd Müller statue. Together, the two statues form a special place of remembrance for two of the club's greatest legends.

Christian Kröll, spokesman for the Kurt Landauer Foundation, emphasized the role of the fans: "We thank from the bottom of our hearts everyone who contributed to making this project possible with donations. Together we have created something very special again - and thus carry Franz Beckenbauer's life's work into the next generations."

Work of the Kurt Landauer Foundation

The Beckenbauer monument is the latest project of a foundation that has created numerous places of remembrance since its foundation in 2017. These include the Kurt Landauer monument on Säbener Straße, the commemorative plaque at Clemensstraße 50 - the location of the club's first venue -, the monument for the first stadium with a stand in Munich and the commemorative plaque at Kurt Landauer's birthplace in Planegg.

In addition to preserving the club's history, the foundation is also involved in social projects. With the Beckenbauer monument, it has now opened another emotional chapter in the culture of remembrance of FC Bayern - and given the "Kaiser" a lasting place in the hearts of the fans.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.