RIP Franz Beckenbauer: 10 rare photos of Germany's 'Der Kaiser' who died at 78

Not long after the demise of Brazil great Mario Zagallo, the football world lost another icon on Sunday. German football legend Franz Beckenbauer (78), often called Der Kaiser ("The emperor"), breathed his last surrounded by his family, media reports said. Incidentally, Zagallo and Beckenbauer were among the only three to lift the FIFA World Cup as both player and coach. Current French coach Didier Deschamps is the third to do so.

Franz Beckenbauer captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974. He also coached the national side that won the 1990 World Cup final against Argentina.

As the sports fraternity comes together to condole the demise of the Bayern Munich legend, here are 10 iconic photographs that speak a lot about the legacy of the late midfielder. 

1. West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer (second from right), embraces his teammate Juergen Grabowski while walking around the Olympic stadium, after they beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the World Cup Final game at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany, on July 7, 1974. (Photo | AP)

2. West German goalkeeper Sepp Maier (on the ground) assisted by Franz Beckenbauer stop an attack during the World Cup match between West Germany and Peru, in Leon, Mexico on June 10, 1970. (Photo | AP)

3. French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez (L) is consoled by German President Horst Koehler (C) and World Cup organising committee Franz Beckenbauer (R) during the runner-up presentation ceremony in the World Cup 2006 final football match between Italy and France at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, 09 July 2006. (Photo | AFP)

4. Brazil legend Pele kisses the FIFA World Cup trophy as he poses with the head of the 2006 World Cup Championship organisation committee Franz Beckenbauer in Berlin, Germany March 12, 2003. (Photo | Reuters)

5. Pele poses with Franz Beckenbauer beside a life-size replica of himself during their visit to the exhibition 'Pelestation' in Berlin, Germany June 29, 2006. (Photo | Reuters)

6. West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer in action against Peru on 10/6/70. (Photo | Reuters)

7. English great Bobby Charlton and Franz Beckenbauer before a match between VFB Stuttgart and Hamburger SV at Neckarstadion on Jan. 14, 1984. (Photo | AP)

8. Former England captain David Beckham and Franz Beckenbauer launch the official matchball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, before the draw in Cape Town, South Africa December 4, 2009. (Photo | Reuters)

9. West Germany's national team coach Franz Beckenbauer (C) celebrates after his team beat the defending champions Argentina 1-0 on a penalty kick by defender Andreas Brehme in the World Cup final, 08 July 1990 in Rome. (Photo | AFP)

10. Franz Beckenbauer with the World Cup after a successful campaign on July 07, 1974. (Photo | AFP)