Beckenbauer statue unveiled outside Allianz Arena in Munich | OneFootball

A bronze statue of Franz Beckenbauer was unveiled this Friday on the esplanade in front of the Allianz Arena, the stadium of Bayern Munich that the former player, coach, and director helped to build in the early 2000s.

A legend of German football, Beckenbauer passed away on January 7, 2024, at the age of 78. Considered one of the greatest defenders in history, the “Kaiser” was a European champion with Germany in 1972 and a World champion in 1974, as well as a three-time European champion with Bayern. As a coach, he won the World Cup in 1990.

The work by sculptor Matilde Romagnoli depicts Franz Beckenbauer with his right foot on the ball, wearing Bayern's jersey from the early 1970s and the famous number 5 on his back.

Beckenbauer's statue is located next to that of another legend of German football and Bayern, former striker Gerd Müller, who passed away on August 15, 2021.

The “Kaiser” and the “Bomber” are reunited in front of the Allianz Arena, a stadium built in the early 2000s (inaugurated in 2005) under Beckenbauer's leadership during his tenure as Bayern's coach, alongside Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

This statue serves as a new tribute to Beckenbauer's memory since his passing.

The club had already retired the number 5 from its jerseys, and the stadium's address was changed to No. 5 Franz-Beckenbauer-Platz, a name given by the city of Munich to the esplanade and street leading to the stadium.

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