Germany’s post-war football icon Uwe Seeler dies

Uwe Seeler, one of the iconic figures of post-war German football and who skippered West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, has died at the age of 85, officials said Thursday.

“Hamburg mourns Uwe Seeler. He was the first top scorer in the Bundesliga. He has now died surrounded by his loved ones,” said a statement by the municipality of Hamburg, the city where he spent his club career.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also commented on Twitter: “He was a role model for many, we will miss him,” he said.

Seeler, who was born in 1936, made his debut for Hamburg in 1953 and went on to make 476 appearances before his retirement in 1972. 

Seeler played a total of 72 matches for West Germany between 1954 to 1970, scoring 33 goals but never won a World Cup. – AFP