UEFA paid tribute to the late former Germany great footballer and later coach Franz Beckenbauer at the opening ceremony of EURO 2024 on Friday night (14/6). The fans standing in the stands applauded wholeheartedly as they watched the video played in the Allianz Arena matrix for one of the greatest footballers of all time, not only for Germany but for world football.

"We will never forget you," said the message "raised" on the light board of the magnificent Munich stadium for Beckenbauer, who "passed away" in January at the age of 78.

Beckenbauer went on to immortality as the captain of West Germany at EURO 1972, but also at the 1974 World Cup which he "lifted" himself, before winning the World Cup and as coach of his national team in 1990.

'Der Kaiser', as he was nicknamed for his commanding style and dominance of the game, was also the leader of Bayern Munich who won the Champions Cup three times in a row from 1974 to 1976.

His late wife Heidi was flanked by Bernard Dietz and Jurgen Klinsmann, who captained the German teams that won EURO 1980 and EURO 1996, lifting the 'Henri Delaunay Cup' (the trophy awarded to the winner Euro 2024 team) on the pitch.

Earlier, hundreds of dancers, lights, colors and impressive effects, along with the flags of the 24 countries participating in this year's EURO 2024, created a wonderful atmosphere at the very beautiful opening ceremony of the event at the Allianz Arena.