An impressive snapshot. It’s the mid-1970s. Flanked by two of Germany’s greatest ever players, Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller, Noel Campbell strides towards the dressing rooms.

As Germany and Argentina prepare to contest tomorrow’s decider at the Maracana, there is one last opportunity for a sensational World Cup to finally achieve greatness

Sergio Romero came back to haunt Louis van Gaal as Argentina beat Holland on penalties to reach the World Cup final.

Roy Hodgson thinks Luis Suarez has a lot to prove before he can be considered a truly world-class player.

Franz Beckenbauer insisted yesterday he was ready to answer questions from Fifa about an investigation into World Cup bidding by June 27 and believed that should remove any justification for its 90-day ban on him.

Roy Hodgson thinks Luis Suarez has a lot to prove before he can be considered a truly world class player.

Franz Beckenbauer has promised to co-operate with FIFA’s ethics investigations into World Cup bidding and has asked for the provisional ban against him to be lifted.

Franz Beckenbauer has called off his planned trip to Brazil after being provisionally banned by FIFA while an investigation takes place into his refusal to co-operate with a probe into World Cup bidding.

Franz Beckenbauer has become the highest-profile casualty of Fifa’s probe into World Cup bidding after the German was provisionally banned for 90 days while he is investigated for refusing to cooperate.

Sony has become the first World Cup sponsor to call for a probe into accusations that bribes were paid to secure the 2022 tournament for Qatar, raising the stakes for football chiefs, who have threatened to move the cup if the allegations are proved to be true.

Alex Ferguson has said that Ryan Giggs is not the man to replace him as Manchester United coach when he eventually steps down at Old Trafford.

Arsene Wenger needs only one piece of advice going into transfer deadline day judging by his team’s Jekyll and Hyde performance against Liverpool: forget about David Villa and concentrate on signing a centre-back instead of a centre-forward.

When news broke last week that Pep Guardiola had agreed to become the next coach of Bayern Munich, much of the reaction focused on how wise Guardiola had been to choose a ‘real club’ with proper football values over the kind of plastic pop-up projects on offer at Chelsea or Manchester City.

The turn of the year is a time to look forward, but for some people it’s also a time of regret.

This is new for football, what it has with Messi and Ronaldo.

Franz Beckenbauer has hit back at suggestions by FIFA president Sepp Blatter that there was irregularity in the decision to award the 2006 World Cup to Germany.

Franz Beckenbauer blamed a “lifeless” first half for Germany’s Euro 2012 semi-final exit to Italy last night.

Match of the Century, they called it. There’s even a plaque on the wall of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City to commemorate the delirious 4-3 win that sent Italy through to the final of the 1970 World Cup at the expense of West Germany.

Germany striker Mario Gomez has hit back at criticism of his performance in their win over Portugal by pointing out only Lionel Messi scored more Champions League goals than him last season and questioning why he should change his game.

Mario Gomez has come in for heavy criticism from former Germany midfielder Mehmet Scholl for his performance in the 1-0 Euro 2012 victory over Portugal.

Germany World Cup winner Franz Beckenbauer is predicting a Germany versus Spain final at Euro 2012.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter today labelled penalty shoot-outs “a tragedy” and challenged Franz Beckenbauer to come up with an alternative.

The Pope is having a very Bavarian birthday, celebrating his 85th milestone at the Vatican with his brother and bishops from his native land.

Changes to the offside law are needed to make it simpler to understand, a FIFA task force announced today.

Sepp Blatter remains a credible president of FIFA despite allegations of corruption at the governing body, according to Franz Beckenbauer.

FIFA Executive Committee member Franz Beckenbauer says he has “limited” faith in FIFA after the way it handled the vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on December 2, and the way it has acted since then.

Franz Beckenbauer has explained why he has decided to step down from FIFA’s Executive Committee next year, saying he does not want to miss out on seeing his children grow up.

Franz Beckenbauer has expressed sympathy for the controversial manner in which England bowed out of the World Cup and called for the introduction of technology to prevent such injustices in future.

FRANK LAMPARD has called for the advent of goal-line technology after being denied a crucial equaliser as England crashed out of the World Cup to Germany yesterday.

German legend Franz Beckenbauer has apologised for his criticism of England.

GERMANY legend Franz Beckenbauer has claimed England have been “stupid” to have been left facing a World Cup last-16 clash with Germany.

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has claimed England have been “stupid” to set up a World Cup last-16 clash with Germany.

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has turned his anger on France after their dismal 2-0 defeat against Mexico last night left them on the verge of an early exit.

Fabio Capello has branded the controversial Jabulani World Cup ball as the worst he has ever known.

Wayne Rooney has rejected suggestions that England played with “fear” during their draw with the United States in their World Cup opener.

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has accused England of playing “kick and rush” football and believes they are suffering for the lack of domestic players in the Premier League.

DIEGO MARADONA has warned that his Argentina side will not fear any opponent at the World Cup in South Africa after they began their quest for a third global title with a victory.

FRANZ BECKENBAUER has predicted a place in the semi-finals for Germany at the World Cup, but warned them at the same time not to underestimate their opening opponents Australia.

Jose Mourinho enjoyed the highlight of his stellar coaching career so far as he led Inter Milan to Champions League glory in Madrid – and now looks set to be based in the Spanish capital for the foreseeable future.

WAYNE ROONEY’S brilliant form this season could lead England all the way to victory in the World Cup final in July, according to Franz Beckenbauer.

Bayern Munich’s season appears in danger of imploding after coach Louis van Gaal was given a Christmas deadline to turn their fortunes around, while influential defender Philipp Lahm was forced to apologise after being fined for criticising the club in a newspaper interview.

Bayern Munich have distanced themselves from comments made by club president Franz Beckenbauer about star player Franck Riberry.

IN-DEMAND Valencia striker David Villa has stated that he has already made a decision on where his future lies.

Bayern Munich have issued a denial in response to an article in today’s Sport Bild magazine in which president Franz Beckenbauer is quoted saying the sale of Franck Ribery is something they are considering.