Bayern Munich has officially retired the legendary number five jersey in honour of Franz Beckenbauer.
In a post shared on Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Sunday, the club announced that the iconic jersey will no longer be worn by any player.
Franz Beckenbauer, affectionately known as “Der Kaiser,” passed away on January 7, 2024. Celebrated as one of the greatest footballers in history, he is among an elite group of nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Champions Cup, and the Ballon d’Or.
Beckenbauer captained Germany to triumph at the 1972 European Championships and the 1974 World Cup. During his glittering career with Bayern, he secured three consecutive Bundesliga titles and a trio of European Cup victories.
Known for his authoritative style of play, Beckenbauer earned the nickname “Der Kaiser,” which translates to “The Emperor.”
Beyond his playing days, Beckenbauer enjoyed a successful managerial career at Bayern, clinching the Bundesliga in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996. He later served as the club’s president.
“Forever our Kaiser,” Bayern wrote in a heartfelt tribute on X. “In memory of Franz Beckenbauer, FC Bayern will never again assign the number 5 jersey.”
