Last updated: 16.01.2024, 07:07 a.m.
By: Philipp Kuserau
CommentsPrint Share
The death of Franz Beckenbauer shook the sports world. Boris Becker is also deeply moved and talks about a special relationship.
Munich \u2012 Charismatic, humorous, respectful: qualities that defined Franz Beckenbauer and for which he was known all over the world. The sports world is mourning the loss of one of its icons, including Boris Becker, arguably Germany's greatest tennis player.
Becker on Beckenbauer: "Franz has experienced things that have also happened to me"
"Germany has lost a very great man," Becker said during a media round hosted by Eurosport. The death of the "Emperor" had affected him deeply. "I'm happy to have met him as a friend. So in many private moments where I just had questions," said the former tennis star. "Franz is over 20 years older and has experienced things that have happened to me," Becker said. "And that's why we were able to exchange ideas on an equal footing."
"In this respect, I really appreciated him personally, liked him very much and had close contact with him until recently, when he was still doing quite well," the 56-year-old told the media. Stefan Effenberg was also deeply affected by the death of the "Kaiser" – the ex-Bayern player left the double pass round in tears and explained his emotional outburst afterwards.
Franz Beckenbauer was a role model for Boris Becker. © imago sports photo service
Becker mourns the death of the emperor: "I knew he wasn't doing so well"
Beckenbauer was also a role model and mentor for Becker. "For his human, but also very successful way - in football and in his second career as a coach and his third career as president and in his fourth career or fifth as an official. He actually did everything right," the three-time Wimbledon winner recalled. "Especially if you're German, you really owe him a lot."
According to Becker, Beckenbauer belonged to his "inner circle of friends". Therefore, the news of the death, which reached the public last Monday, was also a "bitter blow" and "huge shock" for him and his family. "I knew he wasn't doing so well, but I didn't know he was going to die on Sunday." Other companions also bid farewell to the "shining light" – goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier found touching words in a farewell letter. (kus)