He did become the first man to score in four World Cups, however, and got 43 goals in 72 caps for his country between 1954 and the 1970.

He never got closer to being a world champion than in 1966, finishing third four years later in Mexico when he found the net three times. Seeler had his share of fantastic experiences at international level.

“We accepted the outcome the way good sportsmen should do, and the whole tournament was fantastic for us all.” “The English team was exceptional and worthy of the title,” he told Uli Hesse thirty years later in the latter’s book Tor! The Story of German Football. West Germany eventually lost 4-2 to England after extra-time in a controversial final at Wembley, but - like many of his teammates – Seeler had no complaints. Seeler was instrumental at the tournament itself too, with the captain getting a late winner against Spain to ensure his side went through as group winners before adding another goal in the 4-0 victory over Uruguay in the last eight. Seeler (l.) scored 43 goals in 72 senior appearances with West Germany. “I played with special boots for two years,” Seeler said many years later of his recovery from injury. Seeler duly obliged, poking home the winning goal in a come-from-behind win in September 1965. Having been held by the Swedes in Berlin, West Germany needed a win to be sure of booking a ticket to England the following summer.

In time, as it happened, for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier in Sweden. With typical determination, however, the Hamburg star worked his way back to fitness faster than anyone could have expected.

Approaching 29 and with medical care not as advanced as it would be now, his career was under threat after it was revealed that he had ruptured his Achilles tendon. In snowy conditions during a match, Seeler went down in agony with no one around him. The goals continued to flow, but in February 1965 came a huge blow. Hamburg, who finished sixth that season, managed 69 in total. IMAGO/WEREK Pressebildagentur/IMAGO/WEREKĪt the end of the Bundesliga’s first-ever season in 1963/64, he finished top of the scoring chart with 30 goals. Seeler (r.) with Fritz Walter (l.) and Franz Beckenbauer (c.) in 1981.

Tor book german football