By Joiner Martinez
Sep 20, 2024, 10:18 PM EDT
A street near Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena stadium is to be renamed in memory of German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, Munich’s city council announced.
“Naming a street after him is the greatest honour the city of Munich can bestow posthumously and a sign of the deep respect and admiration we have for Franz Beckenbauer,” Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter said in a statement.
Died on January 7 at the age of 78, nicknamed ‘Der Kaiser’ (the Emperor) he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
The former midfielder won the World Cup as a player and as a coach, as well as the European Championship and the Ballon d’Or. During his 13 years at Bayern, the Munich native won three European Cups and four German league titles, before winning another with Hamburg in 1981-82.
Part of the street currently called Werner Heisenberg Allee will be renamed “Franz Beckenbauer Platz” (Frank Beckenbauer Square) and the address of the stadium that will host the Champions League final in May 2025 will also be changed to “5, place Franz Beckenbauer”, a reference to the number he wore as a player.
The Munich city council announced that the change will come into effect on January 7, 2025, the first anniversary of the footballer’s death.
A statue is also planned to be erected outside the Beckenbauer Stadium, alongside that of Bayern legend and former teammate Gerd Müller.
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This was Bayern Munich’s emotional tribute to Franz Beckenbauer at the Allianz Arena