BERLIN: German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at the age of 78. The German Football Federation said that Beckenbauer's family has confirmed the news of his death. Beckenbauer was the captain of West Germany when it became world champions in 1974.

Beckenbauer was a classy, dominant presence on the pitch for West Germany and Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s, using the calmness on the ball and effortless distribution that marked his midfield performances to virtually invent the central defensive sweeper role where he found most success. He won two Ballon d'Or awards.

Beckenbauer is Germany's all-time great legend in the national team. He had played a crucial role in helping West Germany win the World Cup in 1974.

As national team manager, his West Germany team lost in the 1986 World Cup final to Argentina but triumphed four years later in Italy as a combined German team.