Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer is the only person to win the FIFA World Cup as both captain (1974) and manager (1990). He invented the attacking sweeper role — the libero — revolutionising defensive play for a generation. He won the Ballon d'Or twice (1972, 1976) and led Bayern Munich to three consecutive European Cups (1974–76). His reading of the game and ability to initiate attacks from deep transformed what the role of a defender could be. The "Kaiser" remains the most complete and influential German footballer in history.