Franz Beckenbaur is regarded is one of the greatest footballers to have ever come out of Germany. Renown as the player who reinvented the position of sweeper, the superstar played for his country on 103 occasions, and is also the only player to have captained his country to three European cups. In a career that spanned more than two decades, he is recognized as one of the most influential players of the world game. He was also among the great thinkers of the game, his tactics revolutionizing the way a central defender or sweeper, is played.