Germany’s greatest footballer ever, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away aged 78 on Monday, the German Football Association confirmed. Regarded as perhaps the best defender to grace this game, Franz was a decorated footballer, having won countless accolades both as a player and manager.

Football world mourns death of German legend Franz Beckenbauer. See who said what

Franz Beckenbauer, one of Germany's greatest soccer players, who captained the team to World Cup victory in 1974 then won the tournament again as manager in 1990, has died at the age of 78, German news agency DPA reported on Monday.

Germany’s World Cup winning captain Franz Beckenbauer passes away at 78

Spiegel Online had reported that Beckenbauer drew a fee of more than $5.6 million, but failed to report the payment to the tax authorities

Football: Beckenbauer was 'paid millions' as WC2006 chair