Beckenbauer was bedridden in his final days.

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer suffered from insomnia, weight loss and difficulty communicating for weeks before his death on January 7.

According to Bild (Germany), in the past few years, the "Emperor of Football" has been tormented by Parkinson's disease, memory loss and has undergone many surgeries (two heart surgeries and one artificial hip implant). In 2019, Beckenbauer also lost vision in one eye after participating in a golf tournament named after him - the Kaiser Cup. This caused his health to decline rapidly.

Beckenbauer has not been seen in public since January 6, 2020, when the family held a New Year's party, with about 100 guests. Beckenbauer looked haggard at the time. In the following months, Beckenbauer's memory and judgment deteriorated rapidly.

Beckenbauer with his wife Heidi and son Joel at a carp party on January 6, 2023 - his last public appearance. Photo: Imago — Beckenbauer with his wife Heidi and son Joel at a carp party on January 6, 2023 - his last public appearance. Photo: *Imago*

In the final weeks of his life, Beckenbauer was almost bedridden and rarely communicated. He also suffered from insomnia, lost a lot of weight and was constantly attended to by two nurses.

His wife of 17 years, Heidi, was always by his side, holding hands with the German football legend. On January 8, the family announced that Beckenbauer had passed away at the age of 78.

Bayern will hold Beckenbauer's funeral at their home stadium, the Allianz Arena, which can accommodate 75,000 people, on January 19. After the "Emperor" passed away, many fans brought flowers to the Bavarian club's headquarters and lit candles to remember him.

Beckenbauer is considered the greatest player in the history of world football, inventing the modern libero role - a position between central midfielder and central defender. He is one of nine players to have won the Euro, World Cup and Ballon d'Or. German media consider him the most important figure in the history of football in this country.

Beckenbauer won the European Cup three times in a row with Bayern in 1974-1976, won the Euro 1972 and the World Cup 1974. He won the Golden Ball in 1972, 1976, the Silver Ball in 1974, 1975 and the Bronze Ball in 1966. In the IFFHS poll for the best player of the 20th century, he came third, behind Pele and Johan Cruyff. The three players behind Beckenbauer were Alfredo di Stefano, Diego Maradona and Ferenc Puskas. All six of these legends have passed away. In the Top 10, only Michel Platini is still alive.

After finishing his playing career with the New York Cosmos in the US, Beckenbauer moved on to coach the West German national team from 1984-1990, culminating in the World Cup in Italy. He then helped Marseille win the French championship in 1991, in addition to other titles with Bayern.

Duy Doan (according to Daily Mail )

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