German football icon Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age 78.
The World Cup winner was widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time after revolutionising what it meant to be a ball-playing central defender.
He was nicknamed 'Der Kaiser' - which translates to 'The Emperor' - for his commanding style of play.
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Beckenbauer won the World Cup in 1974 as a player and again as a manager in 1990.
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner also won the European Cup, now known as the 'Champions League', three times with Bayern Munich, where he spent 13 year playing.
A family statement read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.
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"We ask that you be able to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."
Beckenbauer won a total of 103 caps for West Germany, playing in three World Cups and two European Championships.
After Bayern Munich, he joined New York Cosmos in 1977, then returning to Germany for a two-year spell at Hamburg. He eventually rejoined Cosmos in 1983.
The legendary footballer was named in the World Team of the 20th Century in 1998, the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002, the Ballon d'Or Dream Team in 2020, and one of FIFA's 100 of the world's greatest living players in 2004.
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After his player and manager career, he worked as a pundit for Sky Germany and as a columnist for Bild.
The world of football has been taking to social media to pay tribute, as Gary Lineker tweeted: "Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP."
The German League said: "The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser."
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"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football's greatest ever players," the Premier League added.
"A World Cup winner as both player and manager, 'Der Kaiser' was as elegant as he was dominant. He will forever be remembered."
Journalist Miguel Delaney tweeted: "With Beckenbauer's passing, all of football's first 'immortals' - that generation of greats when the sport became truly international with broadcasting after the war - now all gone.
"Pele, Maradona, Puskas, Cruyff, Di Stefano, Beckenbauer, Best."
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