In conversation with Günter Netzer
Franz Beckenbauer “asked about the seam death experience”
Franz Beckenbauer “asked about the seam death experience”
04/11/2025, 7:15 a.m.
Together world and European champions, both football legends, both have to undergo cardiac operations: Günter Netzer and Franz Beckenbauer. Netzer now reports on a special conversation with his long -standing companion.
Franz Beckenbauer asked Günter Netzer in a conversation among football idols about his heart surgery. Netzer received six bypasses in 2016, and soon afterwards the Beckenbauer, who died last year, visited him on Sylt, Netzer reported the “Stern”.
Beckenbauer said that he also had severe heart problems. “Franz asked me if I had made seam death experiences at the operation. He wanted to know how to deal with such a serious intervention mentally,” said Netzer. The 80-year-old added: “It was a wonderful conversation about the big questions of life. Franz was very solved and satisfied back to Munich.”
Beckenbauer later received four bypasses. Netzer joked: “I called him: ‘Listen, you got four pieces and I six. This made the final proof that I was the better player and also ran more than you’.”
Together to the first European Championship title for Germany
The former midfield director of Borussia Mönchengladbach and the Libero of FC Bayern Munich led the national team to the first win of the European championship title in 1972. In 1974 Beckenbauer was also captain of the world champion team, Netzer had to be satisfied with the role of the reservist at the final round in Germany.
The later manager of Hamburger SV described his heart surgery as a turning point. During a night in the intensive care unit, he followed the second hand with his eyes on a clock – in complete loneliness. “I have never been as clear as in these hours. I would have liked someone to bring me a sheet of paper so that I can write down my thoughts. The next morning everything was gone. I still delete that. Beckenbauer died in January 2024 after he had to struggle with health problems for a long time.
