German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute to Franz Beckenbauer as thousands gathered at Bayern Munich’s stadium for a memorial service dedicated to the player and coach known as “Der Kaiser,” who died Jan. 7 at the age of 78, writes APNEWS.

The open-air memorial service on a bright, cold day in Beckenbauer’s home town of Munich included many of the most influential figures in German politics and the world of soccer, as well as thousands of Bayern fans.

“We are not only bidding farewell to a world-class soccer player. We are bidding farewell to a great person. His skill inspired us, his friendly demeanor won people over, his fairness and attitude were no less than his talent. Thank you, Franz, thank you for everything”, - said Steinmeier.

Speakers including Bayern president Herbert Hainer and Beckenbauer’s former teammate Uli Hoeness praised how Beckenbauer combined immense talent on the field with personal warmth.

“This club grew up with Franz Beckenbauer, we grew together. The world looked up to him but he didn’t look down on anyone”, - Hainer said. 

Among the guests were German chancellor Olaf Scholz and a host of other political figures, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, and German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.