Bayern to display Beckenbauer jersey on stadium roof

Munich, Germany: Bayern Munich will display the jersey of late club legend Franz Beckenbauer on the roof of their Allianz Arena home, the Bavarian giants said in a statement on Tuesday.

A 15-metre by 10-metre depiction of Beckenbauer´s iconic No.5 shirt has already been affixed to the Allianz Arena roof ahead of Wednesday´s Champions League last-16 clash with German champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Beckenbauer, who died in January 2024, later had his jersey number retired by Bayern, the first such instance in the club´s history. “We are delighted to pay tribute to Franz Beckenbauer in this way in the Allianz Arena,” club president Herbert Hainer said in a statement.

The former defender is considered one of the greatest players of all time. At Bayern, he won three European Cups and four German championships, along with two Ballon d´Or awards. Beckenbauer also captained West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup before leading the country to another title as coach in 1990. After later coaching Bayern he moved into club administration, playing a key role in building the Allianz Arena, which became the club´s home in 2005.