'Uns Uwe' : Germany mourns legend Seeler

The Hamburger SV icon and former German national team captain was a highly admired personality in his home country, in particular because of his humility and affinity to his roots.

Born in 1936 as the third child of Erwin Seeler, who was one of Germany's best footballers in the pre-war era, Uwe Seeler joined Hamburger SV in 1946, and would spent virtually his entire career there.

At the age of 16 – he was training to become a logistics manager and working in Hamburg’s harbour – he made his debut for HSV’s first team in a friendly, and scored four goals in his competitive debut four years later.

Uwe Seeler holds his trophy at the opening gala for the Hall of Fame of German Football at the German Football Museum in Dortmund in 2019AFP/Getty Images

404-goal haul

Seeler would go on to become arguably the best and most important player in HSV’s history. When he hung up his boots in 1972, he had amassed 404 goals for the club in 476 matches. He won the German domestic title in 1960 and the German Cup three years later. An international trophy eluded him, although he did reach the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final with HSV in 1968.

‘"Uns Uwe’ (Our Uwe), the affectionate nickname which stuck with him for so long that it became folklore, was the German Bundesliga's first-ever top scorer in 1963/64 with 30 goals. He was a prolific striker and particularly difficult for defenders to deal with in the penalty area. Many foreign clubs tried to lure him away from Hamburg, but he always chose his roots over financial gain.

72 caps

Seeler’s debut for West Germany came in October 1954, just a few months after they had created a surprise by winning the FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. Collecting 72 caps and scoring 43 goals, he came closest to winning a title with the national team in 1966, when they were beaten by England after extra time in the World Cup final at Wembley. Seeler, who had been his team's captain for five years at this point, was later praised for his great dignity in defeat.

This type of respectful behaviour was omnipresent during his active career and especially as an ambassador for the sport and charity patron in later life. "Everyone will remember him for his down-to-earth nature, his humility, and his bond with his hometown of Hamburg," DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said. "With his foundation, he also offered support to people in need, as well as being passionately involved in the DFB’s Sepp Herberger Foundation."

Role model

Neuendorf added: "With Uwe Seeler’s passing, we lose one of the best footballers Germany ever had. Many of his goals will forever be remembered, such as his legendary backwards header in the 1970 World Cup quarter-finals against England. But Uwe Seeler made such an impression off the pitch as well. We are all deeply saddened by his death. Uwe Seeler leaves a hole in the DFB and all of German football. We will miss ‘Uns Uwe’ greatly."

Personalities of note in German football have released statements with a similar message. Germany coach Hansi Flick: "Uwe Seeler was a role model for generations of Germany internationals. He won so many hearts with his humble and down-to-earth approach and his name is synonymous with loyalty." And Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "We would all like to be like 'Uns Uwe' – self-confident and modest. He will be missed."