Franz Beckenbauer: 70 years of 'The Emperor'

He is a master of his trade - from the pitch, to the camera and beyond as a manager. Over his five decade career, Beckenbauer has mastered his occupation: being Franz Beckenbauer. For many, he continues to be the shining light of German football. Here he holds the trophy for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945, in Munich. From 1965 to 1983, he laid the foundations for his legendary career, becoming a four time German champion with Bayern Munich and once with Hamburger SV. He also took out three US championships with the New York Cosmos. To boot, he's also won four DFB cups in Germany with Bayern Munich, as well as four European titles.

Advertising managers and music producers were quick to recognize the 'Beckenbauer factor.' This record was released in 1966. From instant soup to mobile phone networks, for many decades Beckenbauer's name was inescapable. He's even had an impact on language in Germany, with his pronounced rolling 'Rs' widely emulated.

Beckenbauer was famed for his elegance as much as his arrogance on the field - although the latter is more a misreading of his forward-thinking style. His precise and ingenious passes made him world famous. And in 1974 he earned his greatest achievement - leading the West German national football team into victory at the World Cup.

“If it runs, it runs" could be one of Beckenbauer’s life wisdoms. In 1977 the first toy version of the "libero" was released. At this point in time he was already being referred to as the ‘The Emperor’ by fans and media, because of his prodigious playing ability, his big personality and his immense successes.

As team manager Beckenbauer led Germany against Argentina for a third world title. Only four years earlier he'd failed against the very same opponents, having to settle for second place. 'The Emperor' was only the second person to achieve World Cup victory as both a player and coach.

After the World Cup triumph, Beckenbauer dedicated himself once again to club football, first as a manager at Olympique de Marseille. From 1991 he took over responsibility of his home club Bayern Munich. As a two-time interim coach he led the team to become both German Champions and UEFA Cup victors. As President from 1994-2009 he helped transforms the club into one of the best in the world.

The ball is Beckenbauer's world. From 1998-2010, as the Vice President of the German Soccer Federation, he was responsible for trying to woo the 2006 FIFA World Cup to Germany - and succeeded. Beckenbauer was on top of the world - and the German press lapped it up, as shown in this cartoon.

Franz Beckenbauer's charm isn't just on the field. Despite the pace of his football life he married three times, and has five children. He married his third wife, Heidi, in 2006. In 2015 he was dealt a serious blow by the death of his son Stephan - also a professional footballer - who succumbed to a serious illness.

Around 50 major sporting and social awards, honors and media prizes have been awarded to Franz Beckenbauer around his 70th birthday. The Austrian Post even gave the country's adopted son his very own commemorative stamp in 2006. Andy Warhol painted this image in 1977, while Beckenbauer was playing with the New York Cosmos.

…is normally a sweet desert from the Bavarian cuisine. ‘Schmarrn’ in the Bavarian dialect also used for nonsense that someone is uttering. In relation to Franz Beckenbauser, the term Kaiserschmarrn gets a whole new meaning - he for example denies the slave-like conditions on building sites in preparation for the World Cup world cup in Qatar.

Amnesty International, however, argues otherwise. Critics also complain that Beckenbauer moved to Austria - where he's lived since 1982 - most likely for tax reasons, while at the same time proclaiming Germany the best place to live. That 'The Emperor' became an ambassador for the Association of Russian Gas Producers in Russia also hasn't helped his reputation.

But nonetheless: Franz Beckenbauer's career has been extraordinary. This picture is, in fact, not 'The Emperor,' but the comedian Matze Knop. Knop knows how to portray Beckenbauer's vanity, the Bavarian humor, his arrogant streak and his legendary language. So, let’s see how 'The Emperor' will perform in the over 70s league!