player1688 Bayern Munich have announced that they will retire the No. 5 shirt in honour of late club legend Franz Beckenbauer. player1688

Bayern Munich confirmed the retirement of the No. 5 shirt in honour of Franz Beckenbauer at the club’s annual general meeting on Sunday, which coincided with the one-month anniversary of ‘Der Kaiser’s’ death, Sky Germany reports. 

The Bavarians announced the decision at the club’s annual general meeting, the first meeting since Beckenbauer’s death a month earlier. In addition to retiring the number 5 shirt, the club also paid tribute to ‘Der Kaiser’ in other ways, such as inviting his wife Heidi and son Joel to the meeting.

This is the first time Bayern Munich have retired a shirt number in honour of a player, while the No. 12 shirt will also be permanently retired in honour of the fan behind it, often referred to as the ’12th man’.

Benjamin Pavard has become the latest Bayern Munich player to wear the No.5 shirt ahead of the French defender’s move to Inter Milan in the summer of 2023, with no other Bavarians wearing the number last season, which could help support the club’s decision. ( player1688 )