Franz Beckenbauer: The Greatest Defender Of All Time?

[@mcchartney]

Rest In Peace, Der Kaiser Beckenbauer. One of the greatest in this beautiful sport.

[@MCFCTheMadHatter]

The very definition of world class & legendary. RIP Der Kaiser…

[@HarmsFootball]

Yes. A few were better than him defensively (Baresi, Nesta, Figueroa, Scirea, Moore, Maldini), but as an overall package no defender comes close. If he continued playing in midfield, he would've probably become the greatest midfielder of all-time as well - he is simply the best non-attacking footballer of all-time.

[@bp3366]

Despite the current managerial memes, I truly think Koeman deserves to be up there amongst these, alongside Frank De Boer. Not on the scale of Figueroa, Maldini, Moore and Co. But certainly an honourable mention imo.

[@dequanmsealey1356]

How would you know 🤣

[@Zuko69420]

Ngolo kante

[@TMthe33rd]

And his offensive games was great too Look at his WC 66 stats, 4 goals in 6 matches Score a winning goal against Lev Yashin aka one of the greatest GK of all time (although you can argue it's the old Yashin) He's the complete package

[@Brookigetit]

Koeman was the best defender

[@akibtafhim]

Der Kaiser- the only one of his kind. Couldn't watch his games but man, the legends we've heard about him. Marvellous! I think playing in different positions throughout his career made him an all-round footballer.

[@loulou7194]

Dude, 70s bayern matches are available on youtube (against Köln, Mönchengladbach, Magdeburg, Dynamo Dresden, Ujpest, St-Etienne, Real Madrid etc.)

[@starfirex]

Maldini is great but Beckenbauer was the most complete defender I have seen. 2 ballon d'or( most among defenders) during the era of Muller, cruyff, eusebio and many more. He is the ultimate defender.

[@tapaskar6619]

But he didn't play during the times of Eusebio....he was even in more past....u are wrong

[@himum3429]

It's not that difficult to understand that Maldini at his BEST was a full back while Beckenbauer at his best was a sweeper. So Beckenbauer is the best CB while Maldini is the best full back (defensively at least, going forward Roberto Carlos and Dani Alves eclipse him)

[@himanshusonkater9273]

@@himum3429 If you think that Maldini was a defensive fullback then you are wrong. He was deadly with the ball in his young days. And he contributed in so many goals.

[@starfirex]

@@tapaskar6619 Just search eusebio and compare the dates of them playing. Not much difference maybe 1 or 3 years.

[@starfirex]

@@himanshusonkater9273 In that beckenbauer is far better than maldini if compare goal contribution. No disrespect to Maldini but Beckenbauer is the greatest.

[@TMthe33rd]

Few years ago, my dad introduces me to Franz Beckenbauer My dad has been watching football since his childhood in the 70s Few years ago, he used to watch old matches, particularly 1974 and 1990 world cup final on KZbin and talks greatly about him About how he was a calm and composure kind of player, how he orchestrated the whole game from the back, and what a great leader he was on the pitch He also said that as a manager, he's still calm and composure like his playing days Rarely screams and when he needs to talk to certain players, he calls them to came to the bench Since then, i became a Bayern and German fans like my father ever was

[@Luger0312]

Everything the man touched in football turned into gold. He really is him, regarding this sport.

[@donfrecees9892]

As a bayern fan i think he's our best player of all time with Gerd Müller he really changed our club and our country in world football.

[@yannick245]

Best non-offensive player of all time!

[@ptptpt123]

Football Iconic's work rate is 20/20

[@FootballIconic]

🙏🙏

[@brainbrown1084]

@@FootballIconic bro why when i finished my fifa manager mode i hear you voice in my head after

[@darren806]

@@brainbrown1084 I'm the same bro, every time I finish a season I wonder what Football Iconic would say about it

[@sandipchatterjee5412]

Actually,.... Beckenbauar, Gurd Muller and Sepp Maier..... The deadly ballers who made Bayern a top class club for first time, though they were teenagers 😅😆

[@BulletClub444Life]

2 of them (Beckenbauer and Müller) almost joined 1860 Munich. German football might look a bit different today.

[@prometheustv6558]

@@BulletClub444Life Muller nearly joined Nuremberg

[@22yvy]

@@prometheustv6558 Yeah they rejected him, arguing "we already have to Muellers in our squad".

[@omnivorous65]

Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, yes. Sepp Maier... I don't know, he never seemed that special to me, there were better goalies than him, while Beckenbauer and Müller were the absolutely the best on their respective position.

[@ogwedding0304]

​@@prometheustv6558nurmberg gesetze

[@A_China_Ball]

Rip an absolute legend

[@markisaac3550]

RIP LEGEND GOAT ICONIC

[@WestLondonBuses44]

RIP legend you will be missed.

[@johnpacino007]

Beckenbauer wasn't a defender, in the *_strictest_* sense. He was a " total footballer " . He played as an attacking midfielder during the 1966 & 1970 world cup's . Moved to sweeper with the national team around 1971. And even then. The role for him, was to have more space, from which to launch, rapid fire counter attack's, by bringing the ball out from the back. Beckenbauer could play anywhere on the pitch, in any position. He could pass, dribble, tackle, head, shoot, take free kicks. All at a tremendous elite, world class level. Definitely one of the three best European players I've seen.

[@loulou7194]

At the beginning of his career, Beckenbauer was a center-half with Bayern in a 2-3-2-3 WW-Metodo tactic, but the coach Zlatko Čajkovski changed the tactic to be a 4-2-4 to adapt the team for the european matches, which means he shifted Franz in the defensive back four and the right half and left half stayed in the midfield, but Franz still had the same influence concerning Bayern attacks. With the Mannshaft, you're right he became the official sweeper after the 1970 world cup, but only because Willi Schulz and Schnellinger stopped with the national team. For example, against Scotland in October 1969, Franz was a sweeper in a 1-4-2-3 tactic with Schulz and Fichtel as stoppers.

[@johnpacino007]

@@loulou7194 Thanks. That was some nice info👍

[@anindyabasu6253]

Franz Beckenbauer missed the tie between Mohun Bagan and New York Cosmos in 1977 and we were so lucky to put two goals in Cosmos net due to his absence. What a memorable match for the Indian football fans.

[@goats2555]

Dude changed the way people approached the game. Certified legend

[@agyarhardjasudjana7804]

Must be wild back then watching players like Beckenbauer switching positions seamesly during games. The way he plays basically what we expect a modern CDM to look like

[@PassRush49]

Pele on the toughest defender he faced: “It's hard to say. You see, whoever I played against I had the best defender marking me, but the best were Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer was fantastic - very intelligent, very tough to beat.

[@AmrikSingh-tw9mq]

Der Kaiser made everything look so easy and that's a sign of a master craftsman. R.I.P Franz Beckenbaur.

[@aren2naga92]

"One day people will forget about me when the Messiah Phil Jones is born" -Franz

[@Lxki67]

getting this a day after his death is crazy youtube was listening... RIP the best german def in the world

[@mauno7230]

Most versatile and elegant Player ever. You could basically Put him everywhere on the pitch, and he would dominate. Really complete!

[@AriaMohtadiHaghighi]

An amazing, well-researched feature on the legendary Franz Beckenbauer. My dad is a lifelong Beckenbauer fan, he's watched/followed his matches since the 66 world cup on. I'm sure he'll love watching this video. Thank you for making this. Best wishes from Iran

[@isa.h.2141]

If only he played in modern day football Then so many more people would be able to see his true skill.

[@yannick245]

Yeah, he's one of the legends of the old days that could possibly compete even in today's football...

[@brabhamF1]

@@yannick245 and that is, if you took him as a player and put him in the game today. If you would take him as a young boy and trained him up, he‘d be the GOAT, no questions asked.

[@patrickhauser588]

@@yannick245 as one wise man put it, the best players of one generation would be also the best players in every generation. Greatness never fades.

[@56viu]

Rest in peace legend

[@vitanus]

Its common knowledge in Germany that Franz Beckenbauer is our best player of all time. He won the Bundesliga five times and the DFB Pokal four times He won the Championsleague three times in a row in 74' 75' 76' He won the Uefa Cup in 67` He won a Worldcup in 74` He won a European Cup in 72` He played in the infamous 1966 Worldcup final He played in the "Greatest match of all time" between Germany and Italy in the 1970 Worldcup semifinals, where he dislocated his shoulder, but stayed on the field carrying his dislocated arm in a sling, as Germany had already used their two permitted substitutions. He won the Ballondor twice He won the 1990 Worldcup as Germanys Coach He was the heart and soul of Bayern Munich, RIP Kaiser

[@RaGeAlucard]

It think skill wise, Matthäus is the german goat.

[@vitanus]

@@RaGeAlucard Nope thats just wrong, similar players but Beckenbauer ist the goat.

[@sibyllefischer-steffan3989]

@@RaGeAlucard But he haven't the smartness and the charme of Beckenbauer

[@legendse]

Another video I had been waiting for, Der Kaiser was one of a kind during his playing days and even today. What a Legend.

[@monsterwith21faces92]

For me he is the greatest defender along side maldini baresi cafu Carlos and lahm

[@markcapili4859]

Lahm cafu and carlos deserves to be called full backs not defender

[@Brookigetit]

Koeman?

[@monsterwith21faces92]

@@Brookigetit yeah he's great too

[@Eric-hu2dw]

dani alves

[@ajaini1709]

Ramos?

[@gzs7483]

Beckenbauers youth and him saying that there was no other sport and everthing being Destroyed It truly is the beautiful Game next to the rubble just need a ball and something ANYTHING to mark the goal is all you need i love this game and stories like this so much

[@brokentuta]

man.. his career is so epic and legendary.

[@chillsamurai98]

RIP Legend😢😢

[@jimwatson7238]

He took defence to a new level by carrying the ball out from the back to start attacks. RIP Franz.

[@Zarathustra-mo1kr]

For sure. And the most complete. Tecniche like midfielder, velocity like a striker, dribbling and a monstrous tactical sense. A GOD of football, like Maradona and few others.

[@TheGlassEyesOfficial]

I can't wait for you to hit 1 mill subs. Here since you weren't under 1k

[@FootballIconic]

Fingers crossed haha! Really appreciate that, Chris thanks. Trust you're well!

[@hollins625]

Great job, thanks! I think the problem is that defending is harder to measure and "easier" to do so people often underestimate or undervalue great defending. Best regards from Germany.

[@fleatight8221]

I'm a Bayern Fan since childhood. So sad to have lost him. Such a special player and person

[@lava2266]

This guy is a forgotten legend, thank you for making a video on him

[@JC-to5by]

He's not forgotten. He's well known and well appreciated by football fans.

[@monsterwith21faces92]

@@JC-to5by I haven't seen many appreciating him as much as they appreciate other lesser great defenders

[@lava2266]

@@JC-to5by in some aspects yes but I hear alot more about maldini, connavaro, Roberto Carlos, cafu, baresi , etc he isn't talked about much despite being on the level of these players

[@iamaheretic7829]

@@lava2266 Primarily cause very few people alive today watched Beckenbauer matches outside the world Cups, while tens of millions of People watched the matches of the people mentioned above week in week out

[@john-olivierlukama1548]

If there's one thing he is, it's not forgotten.

[@darkmamba7025]

Everyone forget Don Elias Figueroa, even the Kaiser Beckenbauer said once “I am the Figueroa of Europe”.

[@HarmsFootball]

It's such a shame that most of career was not recorded. Probably the most complete defender that I've seen.

[@loulou7194]

Velibor Vasovic (from Partizan Belgrade and Ajax) was also an offensive libero, years before Franz Beckenbauer. Laurent Verbiest from Anderlecht was pretty good to.

[@kaizenryan3390]

Who is he

[@ExcorcistBagel]

@@kaizenryan3390 the man who won the award for south America’s best player in the time of Pele

[@andrekoerber7334]

I remember Figueroa. He played for Chile the 1974 World Cup and after that in Brazil for Internacional, right?

[@superslayerguy]

I've been needing this video for a while now, thanks once again Mr. Football Iconic

[@gm2407]

Beckenbauer and Charlton both have wall practicing stories. Both excellent.

[@chrisfraser5088]

An absolute legend! Great video!

[@dazzaMusic]

He was more than a defender he was a sweeper so other defenders would cover for him while he moved up the field to make assists so he was just as good in attacking midfield as he was at the back.

[@yannick245]

He moved between Sepp Maier and the middle line.

[@sibyllefischer-steffan3989]

@@yannick245 And sometimes he made a goal

[@yannick245]

@@sibyllefischer-steffan3989 In the days before he became a sweeper, he was definitely shooting goals. At the World Cup 66, he scored four goals. One more than Geoff Hurst!

[@ayushman8878]

Simply revolutionary

[@FootballIconic]

100%

[@heijimikata7181]

@@FootballIconic I’m waiting for baldies. Don Ini, Robben, Zizou, Titi Henry,…At least we have Rooney already, and Vieira?

[@PalleLemus]

He is back at it again!

[@lexico8165]

Quite simply Yes. The greatest defender of all time IMO.

[@Ruda-n4h]

He had an incredible sense of awareness.

[@filipbujaroski9221]

He completed football. Love it

[@davidhilkes3847]

I remember watching him for Hamburg. RIP Kaiser

[@TheIkaraCult]

Beckenbaur is the definitive player in his position. When I was playing as a kid I was in the Beckenbaur position. He is without question the greatest defender of all time.

[@seank2132]

Best Football Channel on YT, Never disappoint bro 🙏🏿

[@thomasvollmer5928]

Beckenbauer had some sort of in-build winning guarantee for football. He stepped in at Bayern twice when their current manager was failing. And he instantly won both the league title in 1993 and the UEFA cup in 1996, which where the best outcome for the club at the time he took over.

[@michaeliceman5512]

I just want to say that as someone who is new to the sport your videos are awesome and have really been a joy to watch while learning the history of the beautiful game

[@yagesh287]

LITERALLY all the Bayern players, past and present, are underrated and I don't really understand why.

[@gelato3350]

I am from Germany (bavaria). The 1860 München player who slapped Beckenbauer was the grandpa of one of my old classmates

[@yannick245]

Haha, nice! I guess this always a great anecdote to bring up.

[@sohampalodhy4214]

Actually he has won everything a football player can win in his career ❤❤

[@loulou7194]

He didn't win the European Super Cup, lost against Blokhin's Dynamo Kiev (1975) and Rensenbrink's Anderlecht (1976).

[@yannick245]

He also only won the UEFA-Cup as a coach. But this is of course because he almost played at the European Cup every year. Even during the years Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga _(against Mönchengladbach),_ they contested as the title defenders and went on to win the European Cup for three consecutive years.

[@AJ-lh4fp]

@@yannick245 ? he won the 1990 world cup as coach lmao

[@yannick245]

@@AJ-lh4fp I mean that he hadn't won it as a player but only as a coach. But I think that's alright to him. He once called this tournament _"the cup of losers"._

[@chill6423]

@@yannick245 isn't UEFA Cup is the same as Europa League? You don't need to win UEL if you already win UCL

[@Panda-bw4sb]

i’m addicted to ur videos :)

[@milly7205]

Don’t forget the first ball playing centre back,Neil Franklin. Legend in the 50s.

[@abhinavdahibhate6292]

Came back after the news to watch this again. RIP Der Kaiser

[@SANR2010]

The chilean defender Elias Figueroa was considered the best defender in the World Cup in Germany in 1974, where Germany was the champion with Beckenbauer as a captain.

[@Cogitoergosumist]

R.I.P. Hero ❤

[@lemigod4475]

Pele always said Franz was one of the most amazing players he had played with,so it speaks volumes of his legacy.

[@ieat10kittens94]

When did pele ever play with f. Beckenbauer

[@αστρον]

@@ieat10kittens94 in the mls

[@sibyllefischer-steffan3989]

@@ieat10kittens94 At Cosmic New York

[@farukvojnikovic5301]

most underrated sport yt chanell !! quality of the videos is soo high and not enough people give it the credit it deserves. and to see less than 70 k subs on this chanell is so sad! keep going

[@DannyLaw23]

Rest on legend ✨

[@thebiggestshmunk]

5:06 hes literally the best german player of all time..

[@koopalibrary]

Him and Cruyff changed the game more than Pele and Maradonna in my opinion. Arguably Pele and Maradonna were better players but they didn't change how the game is played as much.

[@loulou7194]

Alfredo Di Stefano changed the game a decade before them.

[@yannick245]

@@loulou7194 Mainly together with his Real squad _(Puskas, Gento etc.)._ Of course he stood out but his personal game didn't change the way/level football is played as much as Cruyff or Beckenbauer.

[@loulou7194]

@@yannick245 Di Stefano was supposed to be a center forward in a classic 3-2-2-3 WM but the guy was so complete that he could play in every posts on the pitch, so they changed the 3-2-2-3 to a 3-3-4 with Alfredo in the center of the game and was the brain and the soul of this legendary 50's Real Madrid. Eveybody forgot that before his signature, Real Madrid was far behind Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia in the spanish football hierarchy and brought this club to the stratosphere. Cruyff always said that Di Stefano was his idol and model. Pelé and Hidegkuti admired him. Di Stefano was the most influential player in Europe because European football had lagged behind South America in terms of level due to WW2 and Alfredo inspired every coaches in the european continent because he was "too futuristic" (and still is by the modern standards). High technical level, killer instinct, physical condition, stamina, tactical awareness, he had everything. Without Di Stefano, there's no Cruyff or the offensive sweeper Beckenbauer.

[@maxreeve5728]

another stellar video, top class content!! Please keep it coming!!

[@DavidLimofLimReport]

Back here after hearing about the Kaiser's passing. RIP Franz

[@ohaodhe]

absolutely love your videos, can you do one on the Celtic team of 67, The Lisbon Lions

[@ryanphilander7636]

Still waiting for baggio or Zizou Still love the vids

[@shabanmahmood759]

Great video

[@emmanuelmailhe1399]

merci a ce joueurs hors norme une classe sur le terrain comme dans la vie merci a Mr Beckenbauer

[@sagargupta2057]

One of my favourite channels on KZbin. Eagerly look forward to all your videos. Big ups!

[@vindimusicofficial]

Your voice alone makes the videos perfect for analysis and narrative I'd say punditry or commentary too keep up the gd work bro

[@rhysarmstrong5211]

I really enjoy these videos man. Very well researched and put together, just pleasurable viewing experiences all the time & I'm always excited to see a new vid. keep up the good work my dude

[@JangoAC]

Winning the world cup as a player and a coach alone is insane

[@souravroy2093]

I have him in my pes team 96 iconic moment card when boosted goes to 98 he is OP

[@JoshuaC923]

What a legend, btw the jokes are well executed and had me in stitches 😂

[@aldobonaso3481]

Great video as always. Franz undoubtedly one of the top 3 defenders of all time for me, Baresi is also up there. Quick question for Football Iconic though, you from SA bro?

[@jaspaltoor2061]

The guy is wrong about Beckenbauer marking Cruyff out of the final. It was Berti Vogts who man marked Cruyff in that game.

[@cheguevara5560]

100% right Vogst was like bullterier

[@nem366]

Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest defender ever!

[@mytake8191]

So you uploaded finally but it was time of middle of a cricket match but i will watch your video first cause.... Of course i am going to wat h your videos first. But i didn't get my daily compliment.

[@FootballIconic]

You look pretty today👌

[@mytake8191]

@@FootballIconic you deserve a like 😂😂😂

[@mytake8191]

@@FootballIconic just joking i like your video without reading the title.

[@FootballIconic]

😂😂

[@rishabshrestha4268]

Wow!Thank you for making these knowledgeable videos

[@karanmalhotra2915]

great video again mate

[@Kin64627]

Legend is gone 😢

[@futgaming17]

Rest in Peace, The Kaiser.

[@himanshusonkater9273]

If possible then make one on Karl Heinz Rumminegge.

[@qwert28077]

Pes players like me:

[@juniorsharp9242]

Loving your work 👍🏾

[@FootballIconic]

Thanks!

[@Vik.castle]

Franz was really the OG all rounder dat could do it all

[@dd-uf9nw]

Do one about Lother matthaus.

[@yannick245]

Yes! The 2nd best German football player of all time.

[@mohammedrahman7772]

RIP beckenbauer

[@Ohaechesi]

Brazil defender Lucio is sooo slept on.

[@theappropriateshow2730]

Please do a video of the nasLsince it had such good players it would be really interesting I’m American so it would be kinda special too, ur vids are great btw

[@sylvinkabongo174]

Welcome back bro. I missed your contents.

[@mgf909]

The most complete defender ever. He basically created the CDM role iirc.

[@sevenstepsurvival]

Rest in peace Kaiser

[@jcanyiam8309]

TRULY ONE OF THE GREATEST of all time

[@asimsheikh429]

There will never be the same libero as Der Kaiser

[@heijimikata7181]

I agree. There’s Matthias Sammer, but his injury ruined him. And he don’t have the elegance and royalty feel of Beckenbauer.

[@richardconte3837]

Baresi was very close

[@peterhammer6915]

@@heijimikata7181 Sammer won Ballon dór so he was appreciated very high.

[@Luigi-hn1hu]

um dos pedreiros da época do pelé, vida longa ao kaiser

[@andrekoerber7334]

Sim, Beckenbauer e Pelè eram amigos, como Matthäus e Maradona. Zidane e Ronaldo Gordo ainda sao amigos.

[@carloseduardopontes3962]

Absolutly amazing

[@nicotarekmaxim8370]

Great Video, Awesome Player! Der Kaiser ist tot, Lang lebe der Kaiser!

[@himanshusonkater9273]

I play PES and I can tell you he is good in the game.