'The concept of the attacking libero suited me down to the ground'

In tribute to Der Kaiser, we re-visit some of Franz Beckenbauer's quotes to have featured in World Soccer interviews over the years

What is your fondest memory from your playing career?

Taking part in the1966 World Cup finals in England at the age of just 20 was a real thrill. After all, I’d only made my full international debut the previous autumn. Probably the most satisfying match of my career was our 3-1 victory over England in1972, a European Championship quarter-final. It was our first-ever victory at Wembley and it was a night when everything fell into place for us. We combined stylishly, were physically strong and took our chances. Six years after our unlucky loss to England in the1966 World Cup final we had our revenge.

How different was your era from today?

It’s night and day. Early in my career semiprofessionalism was still in vogue in Germany. For example, in my first year in the Bundesliga [1965-66], I had a part-time job measuring up huge rolls of fabric in a fashion house. You could say we did things differently back then. We’d travel to games in the sleeping car of a train and stay in bed-and-breakfasts rather than five-star hotels.

You played football for 20 years. What major changes did you witness during your career?

When I started in1964 the system was different. We had no sweeper. By the end we had a rolling system, where the full-backs got forward and scored goals and the striker went back to defend. The players got much better physically. But what I missed was the great personalities. The big stars like Pele, Cruyff, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton. The Italians had the great Mazzola, Rivera, Riva. Later, I might have said Maradona, Rummenigge, Zico…but ten years earlier I could name 20. Maybe it was because of the change in the style of soccer. Kids began to be chosen for their physique not their ability, because coaches wanted to win.