OBITUARY
Reaction To Death Of Germany Great Beckenbauer –
Franz Beckenbauer, one of Germany’s greatest soccer players, who captained the team to World Cup victory in 1974 and won the tournament again as manager in 1990, died on Sunday aged 78, his family said in a statement on Monday.
Following are reactions to his death:
GIANNI INFANTINO, FIFA PRESIDENT
“A legend of German and world football, Franz Beckenbauer has achievements and triumphs which are etched in history and yet, for all his popularity, ‘Der Kaiser’ always remained modest and down to earth..
A great neighbour to me during many UEFA Executive Committee meetings, he willingly shared so much of his knowledge of football. A really great person, a friend of football, a champion and a true legend, dear Franz will never be forgotten.”
GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ
“World Cup winner as player and coach: Franz Beckenbauer was one of the greatest footballers in Germany and for many ‘der Kaiser’ also because of the excitement for German Football he created for generations. We will miss him. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
KARL-HEINZ RUMMENIGGE, LONG-TIME CEO OF BAYERN MUNICH
“I am deeply shocked. Franz Beckenbauer rewrote the history of German football and left a lasting impact on it. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and in all of these roles he was not only successful but unique.
As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people – because everyone was equal before Franz. German football is losing the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him more than painfully. Thank you for everything, dear Franz!”
HERBERT HAINER, BAYERN PRESIDENT
“There are no words to express how deep the sorrow is and so how great the gap left by Franz Beckenbauer. As a player he brought lightness, elegance and magic. Franz Beckenbauer brought glamour.
Even after his active career he left his mark on FC Bayern and football and his legacy cannot be measured by just titles. The family of FC Bayern is forever thankful and I personally grieve the loss of a friend.”
ALEKSANDER CEFERIN, UEFA PRESIDENT
“The football world mourns the loss of the legendary Kaiser. His unparalleled versatility, graceful transitions between defence and midfield, impeccable ball control, and visionary style reshaped the way football was played in his era.
His leadership qualities shone through as he captained both the national team and Bayern Munich during their most successful periods and continued to shine bright in his coaching career. Beckenbauer’s legacy as one of football’s all-time greats is beyond dispute. Farewell to a true legend.”
GERMAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (DFB)
“The German Football Association (DFB) mourns the loss of Franz Beckenbauer. The honorary captain of the national team died last Sunday at the age of 78.
Franz Beckenbauer influenced soccer in Germany like no other. Alongside the Brazilian Mario Zagallo and the Frenchman Didier Deschamps, Beckenbauer is one of three people to have won the World Cup as a player (1974) and as a coach (1990).”
BERND NEUENDORF, GERMAN FA PRESIDENT
“The death of Franz Beckenbauer marks a turning point. With deep respect and gratitude we view his life’s work. With his passing we are losing a unique player and a kind man. Der Kaiser was one of the best players the sport has ever seen.”
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
“The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser.”
LOTHAR MATTHAEUS, EX-GERMANY CAPTAIN AND 1990 WORLD CUP WINNER
“The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t well. His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole. He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the pitch. Franz was an outstanding personality not only in football, and he enjoyed worldwide recognition. Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was”
DIDIER DESCHAMPS, FRANCE COACH
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. His death comes just a few days after that of Mario Zagallo. It was an immense honour for me to join them both in 2018 among those who had won the World Cup as a player and then as a coach. My sorrow today is as great as my joy at being invited to sit at the table with these two giants of international football …
Franz Beckenbauer was an extremely respected figure, who embodied the high standards of the very best. To his family and friends, and to all those who, like me, admired him, I offer my full support at this sad and painful time.”
THOMAS BACH, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) PRESIDENT
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. He was a sporting legend far beyond football. For me personally, he was a close and loyal friend for more than four decades, someone you could always rely on.”
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
“Borussia Dortmund mourns the loss of a great German footballer. Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. ‘The Kaiser’ will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with his family and all his loved ones.”
MANCHESTER UNITED
United posted a photograph of Beckenbauer with England great Bobby Charlton on social media platform X and said: “Rivals on the pitch. Eternal respect off it. Now, together at rest.
Sending heartfelt condolences to our counterparts at Bayern Munich as we mourn the loss of a true great, Franz Beckenbauer”
REAL MADRID
“Real Madrid C. F., the club’s President and its Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of the biggest legends of European and world football.
Real Madrid would like to send its condolences and expresses its affection to his family, his teammates, his clubs and all his loved ones.”
BARCELONA
“FC Barcelona offers its condolences for the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, legend of world football who has left us today at the age of 78. Rest in peace.”
INTER MILAN
“He embodied class and fair play and will remain a legend of world football: the Club and the entire Nerazzurri universe join in mourning the passing of Franz Beckenbauer”
GARY LINEKER, FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER
“Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.”
-Reuters
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The President General of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Peter Rufai, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Nigerian football.
In a heartfelt tribute on Friday, Ladipo lamented the growing number of fallen Nigerian sports heroes and called for national reflection and prayer in the wake of Rufai’s demise.
“Another big tree has fallen. What is it that is happening to our heroes? Why are we losing them one after the other?” he asked in an emotional statement. “Oh God, Peter Rufai is gone. The man who served Nigeria meritoriously for years.”
Ladipo fondly recalled Rufai’s iconic role in Nigeria’s football history, particularly his contribution to the national team’s success in the 1990s.
“He was our number one goalkeeper in Tunisia ’94, when we won the Africa Cup of Nations. He stood tall again at the USA ’94 World Cup and was there in France ’98. He was a winner all the time.”
Rufai, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. He remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers, with a legacy that spans more than a decade of international service and over 60 caps for the Super Eagles.
Ladipo is devastated by the death of Peter Rufai
Ladipo expressed pain that Rufai died at a time he was still actively giving back to Nigerian football and youth development. “How could Peter Rufai leave when he was trying to give back, at a time he was needed most?” he asked.
He called on Nigerians to unite in prayers for the country, especially its athletes and sports heroes. “We must come together and start to fervently pray for this country, asking God Almighty to kindly have mercy,” he urged.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Ladipo concluded.
The late Rufai’s death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, fans, and sports administrators across the country and beyond.
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Former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Rufai, describing the legendary shot-stopper as his idol and a major influence on his football career.
In an emotional message following Rufai’s passing on Thursday, July 3, Shorunmu, who also manned the posts for the Super Eagles and Lagos-based Stationery Stores FC, revealed how the late Rufai’s charisma and goalkeeping brilliance inspired his own journey into the sport.
“Dodomayana was just a wonderful personality on and off the field,” Shorunmu stated, using Rufai’s popular nickname. “Because of him, I joined Stationery Stores FC. I admired him a lot when he was playing for Stores.”
Shorunmu, who eventually rose to become Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, said meeting Rufai in the national team was a dream come true. He credited the late captain with shaping his goalkeeping skills through valuable mentorship.
“When we now met in the national team, he taught me different things which I will not forget quickly,” he added. “Adieu, my idol Peter Rufai. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. I will miss you, Dodomayana.”
Rufai, who died at the age of 61, was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and helped the Super Eagles lift the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He also captained the team in several crucial matches and is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers of all time.
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from former teammates, football administrators, and fans both in Nigeria and abroad.
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Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo broke down in tears during the minute’s silence held for their former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota before their side’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense on Friday.
Jota, a Liverpool forward, and his younger brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning when their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire.
Tributes have continued to pour in for Jota and Andre with footballing greats including Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard, joining the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Britain in mourning the loss.
Friday’s match between Al-Hilal and Fluminense in Orlando began with players and fans observing a minute’s silence in memory of Jota and Andre.
Neves, one of Jota’s closest friends who played with the 28-year-old during their days at Wolverhampton Wanderers, issued a touching tribute on Instagram about an hour before kick-off.
“Wherever you are, I know you’re going to read this, we’ve never been one for this sort of thing and maybe now I’ll regret it a little, but you know what you mean to me just as much as I know what I am to you,” Neves said
“More than a friendship, we’re family, and we’re not going to stop being family just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!
“When I go to the national team, you’ll still be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me, as usual. We’ll keep laughing, making plans, sharing our lives with each other.
“I’ll make sure you’re always there and I’ll make sure your family never lacks anything while you’re there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us …
“As of today, you’ll be on the pitch with me, and we’ll follow our path together, on the stage where we met.”
Chelsea’s Portuguese forward Pedro Neto also paid a heartfelt tribute to his friends when he walked out on the field with a shirt bearing their names before their quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadephia.
“We spoke with Pedro yesterday and this morning and this afternoon and it was completely Pedro’s decision to play or not to play,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said after his team’s 2-1 win.
“He did, he made a fantastic effort to play this game, to play with his teammates, and we really appreciate what he has done.
“I just said to the players that this win is especially for him because we know how close he was, and the effort that he has made. So no doubt that we really appreciate what he decided in the end.”
The funerals of the brothers are expected to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) in the Portuguese town of Gondomar.
-Reuters
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