Uwe Seeler, the national team captain who led West Germany to the 1966 World Cup final, passed away at the age of 85.
Seeler, who is regarded as one of Germany’s all-time greatest players, was renowned for his overhead kicks and knack for scoring from the most unlikely of angles. He was regarded for his devotion to Hamburger SV, the team from his hometown, as well as for his humility and fairness.
From 1952 to 1973, Seeler made 519 appearances with Hamburg, scoring 445 goals in the Bundesliga and Oberliga. With 137 goals, he continues to hold the Bundesliga scoring record for the team.
The forward helped West Germany finish second to England in the 1966 World Cup and take third place in Mexico four years later with 43 goals in 72 appearances. Despite spending 16 years with the national team, he was not a member of the squad that won the 1974 World Cup.
I attended four World Cups, but I would have wanted to have won the championship just once. I wasn’t fortunate, Seeler added. “Nevertheless, everything was fantastic. I have no regrets. In 1960, 1964, and 1970, he was chosen as the German player of the year.
With Hamburg, Seeler won the German championship in 1960 and the German Cup in 1963, but he also experienced disappointment due to missed opportunities in Europe. Hamburg lost to Barcelona in the European Cup semifinals in 1961 and to Milan in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1968.
Christian Pletz, the club’s spokesman in Hamburg, reported on Thursday that Seeler’s family had confirmed his passing. Ilka, Seeler’s wife of more than 60 years, was his wife. 3 daughters were born to them. Levin Ztunali, his grandson, plays for Bundesliga team Union Berlin.
