Just days after what would have been Franz Beckenbauer’s 80th birthday, FC Bayern Munich paid the ultimate tribute to their legendary figure by unveiling a bronze statue outside the Allianz Arena. The memorial, standing proudly on the Esplanade beside fellow icon Gerd Müller, captures the essence of the man known worldwide as the “Kaiser” and celebrates his unmatched contributions to German and global football.
The unveiling ceremony was a deeply emotional occasion, attended by Beckenbauer’s widow Heidi Beckenbauer, his children Joel and Francesca, honorary president Uli Hoeneß, long-time companion Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, club president Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, and sculptor Matilde Romagnoli, among many other distinguished guests. The statue was made possible through donations organized by the Kurt Landauer Foundation, a fan-driven initiative, reflecting Beckenbauer’s deep and lasting connection with the supporters.
President Herbert Hainer described the statue as more than just art:
“This monument is a piece of FC Bayern’s DNA, cast in bronze. It stands for Beckenbauer and everything he embodied: style, leadership, and humility. It’s not only a tribute to Franz but also a reflection of Munich itself—proud, elegant, self-confident, and grounded.”
Throughout the evening, emotional tributes poured in from friends, teammates, and family. Uli Hoeneß recalled Beckenbauer as a man who shaped Bayern’s modern identity and set standards of excellence both on and off the pitch. Paul Breitner added that Beckenbauer’s greatness came not only from his footballing genius but from his ability to “let others shine” around him.
Heidi Beckenbauer, when asked what Franz might have said about the statue, smiled and replied:
“You all know him—he would have said, ‘Stop talking nonsense.’ But I know he would be proud of this moment.”
The bronze statue, crafted with intricate detail, portrays Beckenbauer in his prime—a symbol of elegance, vision, and leadership. Sculptor Romagnoli explained that she studied countless photos and videos to capture Beckenbauer’s unique grace on the field, saying: “He always seemed to know what would happen before it happened—I wanted to bring that intuition into the work.”
The ceremony concluded with applause and reflection, as fans, legends, and dignitaries recognized that while life and football may be fleeting, legends remain eternal. Beckenbauer’s bronze figure will now stand alongside Bayern’s most treasured symbols, forever uniting past, present, and future generations under the banner of Mia san Mia.
