Walter Beckenbauer remembers: Franz will always be my brother!
On the first anniversary of Franz Beckenbauer's death, his brother Walter remembers their special connection and the meaning of loss.
Walter Beckenbauer remembers: Franz will always be my brother!
On January 7, 2024, football legend Franz Beckenbauer (†78) died in the arms of his family in Salzburg. He not only left an unforgettable legacy in German football, but also deeply grieving relatives and fans worldwide. His brother Walter Beckenbauer (83) speaks in an emotional interview about the loss and how he deals with the grief. “I always appreciated Franz, but never idealized him,” Walter tells the magazine Picture. His love for Franz remains, even after death. For him, Franz is not just a star, but still a beloved brother.
Walter Beckenbauer even continues this intimate connection in spirit: “I just have a dialogue with him,” he says, convinced that he knows the answers Franz would give him. These thoughts are a consolation for Walter in his grief. Franz, considered the “Emperor” of football, will be remembered for his extraordinary career and influence in Germany. His brother shows that for him Franz as a person was always in the foreground, not as a sports star. “Franz was rightly a celebrated football star, but for me he was my big brother,” says Walter, whose memories and conversations with Franz help him get through the difficult times.
A legacy in the heart
Franz Beckenbauer, known for his achievements as a player, coach and official, shaped an era of football that continues to have an impact today. Walter describes him as a role model who has inspired generations. The mourning for the “Emperor” is also reflected by many prominent companions in the new documentary “The Last Emperor,” which will be broadcast in January today.at reported. This documentary sheds light on his extraordinary life and the values that defined him, which he also owed to his family and especially his mother.