Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer was the German defender who changed how the position could look. Wearing number 5, he played with calm authority, stepping out from the back with the ball and turning defence into the first act of attack. His game was elegant, controlled and commanding, built on timing as much as strength.

At Bayern Munich 1964-1977, Beckenbauer became the reference point of a great side, with the red shirt tied to leadership, European success and a new idea of the defender. New York Cosmos 1977-1980 gave his career a global chapter, while Hamburger SV 1980-1982 brought him back to Germany in a different club setting. With Germany 1965-1977, the number 5 became part of a national story crowned by a World Cup.

Beckenbauer shirts are collected because they represent poise and control rather than noise. Choose Bayern Munich for the defining years and European honours, New York Cosmos for the international icon, Hamburger SV for the later German chapter, or Germany for the clearest symbol of leadership in number 5.