ISTANBUL

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age of 78, the German Bundesliga confirmed on Monday.  

"The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser," Bundesliga said on X.

Born in 1945, Beckenbauer played 103 times for then-West Germany between 1965 and 1977, helping it win the World Cup in 1974, and also lifted the 1990 World Cup trophy as manager of West Germany.

The German legend was also honored with the 1972 and 1976 Ballon d'Or awards.