The Ecuadorian government presented the president of the 2006 World Cup soccer contest Franz Beckenbauer with its Knight of Ecuadorian Sport medal, local media reported on Monday.

Beckenbauer, who arrived on Sunday night for a one-day visit, was also declared an honored guest and received the keys to the city of Quito, from the mayor, Paco Moncayo.

The mayoral ceremony took place on Monday morning in Teleferico, some 3,500 meters above sea level, in the Pichincha volcano.

Beckenbauer wore a blue suit, and white shirt and black shoes, and was accompanied by Ecuadorian football association officials.

From Pichincha Beckenbauer went to the seat of government at 11:00 a.m., where he was received by Alfredo Palacio, president of Ecuador, who also presented Beckenbauer with the Sporting Knight award.

Beckenbauer joked that he hoped that Germany would not lose its planned World Cup match with Ecuador, adding that he would be happy for Ecuador to beat any other nation.

The soccer Kaiser (King), as Beckenbauer is known in Germany, then moved to Guayaquil, a city on the Ecuador coast, to have a look at the Ecuador Football Federation's buildings and equipment.

He will take an aeroplane from Ecuador to Paraguay in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Source: Xinhua