Is 2006 World Cup hosting scandal the real reason behind Franz Beckenbauer's 'deteriorating' health?

Frank Beckenbauer is a former World Cup winner, both as a player and as a manager.

Franz Beckenbauer, the revered figure in German football, is currently contending with both health issues and the enduring consequences of the 2006 World Cup hosting scandal, as disclosed by his brother Walter.

The footballing legend sadly passed away at the age of 78 on 8th January 2023.

An upcoming documentary scheduled to air on the German channel ARD in January aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of Beckenbauer’s career, bringing attention to his legacy alongside the sporting achievements that have etched his name in football history.

“At 78, if I were to say now that he is fine, I would be lying, and I don’t like lying. He is not well. It’s a constant up and down,” revealed Walter, shedding light on the health challenges that currently define Beckenbauer’s journey.

The spectre of allegations surrounding the 2006 World Cup hosting rights continues to loom large over Beckenbauer’s legacy. Accused of leveraging his influence to secure FIFA votes for Germany, Beckenbauer, though not proven guilty, has opted for a withdrawal from the public eye, choosing to reside in Austria.

“The scandal we are making today seems a bit exaggerated to me. Surely, he made mistakes; I mean, not everyone does everything right. In this sense, too, he is a human being,” offers the late Wolfgang Schäuble, former Minister of the Interior and Finance, as a defence against the contemporary critique surrounding Beckenbauer.

Franz Beckenbauer’s health challenges are not confined to the physical realm. A revelation in the documentary exposes the loss of vision in one eye, a consequence of a presumed ocular infarction suffered during his participation in the Kaiser Cup golf tournament. “I had a presumed ocular infarction in one eye. Unfortunately, I can no longer see anything with the right eye. And I have to be careful with the heart,” confesses Beckenbauer.

Acknowledging Beckenbauer’s indisputable impact on football, the documentary weaves through his achievements – a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and a member of the Ballon d’Or Dream Team in 2020. The film attempts to strike a delicate balance, celebrating the highs of his career while acknowledging the challenges he faced both on and off the field.

“The Germans wanted the World Cup, including me, and we were happy to have Franz Beckenbauer. In this sense, it’s somewhat hypocritical. We should also accuse ourselves,” contends former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, adding a reflective perspective to the documentary and urging a collective introspection on the part of the German populace.

Quotes Source: sportpress24

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