Quote (zarkadon @ 23 Jul 2022 19:32)
RIP
Seeler is one of those world class players I don't recall ever seeing play, despite having watched hundreds of old games back during my teens and early 20s, when I had the time and passion for those things. Never won anything with Germany iirc, and he played before Hamburg's golden era (of which I have seen several games)... so his lack of appearances in finals probably kept me from ever stumbling across him, despite him being a famous and historically recognised player. Random 50s-60s Hamburg games aren't easy to come accross after all.
Perhaps I saw him feature in a WC game, but I can't really remember...
e: just checked and he did feature in the 1966 WC final, as well as the famous 1970s semi against Italy, both of which I watched like 17-18 years ago, but tbh can't remember his performances in those games.
yes, footage of him is not exactly common, and his lack of titles with the national team means he's internationally not as well known as a gerd müller, beckenbauer, or matthäus (even though he played 4 world cups, scored at least twice in each, and always was amongst germany's best players, contributing not only goals but also assists), but he's certainly a legend here in germany, universally liked for being incredibly down-to-earth, humble, loyal, generous, and charitable.