Franz Beckenbauer

The German captain, Franz Beckenbauer, was the star of the West German team of 1966. At that time he played as an old-fashioned right- half. He then invented the position ‘sweeper’ . A sweeper brings the ball out of defence and starts attacks.

Beckenbauer was a natural leader. He inspired other players and dominated the pitch. He was not fast but had great football intelligence. His nickname was the Kaiser - a German word that means king or emperor.

In 1970 he was injured during the Semi-Final with Italy - an injury that probably cost the West Germans a place in the Final. In 1974 he was 29 and this was perhaps his last chance to win a World Cup Winners Medal.