The world of football is in mourning after the death of one of Germany’s greatest ever players, Uwe Seeler, at the age of 85.

In his playing days, Seeler was widely regarded as one of the best centre-forwards in the world, scoring 43 goals in 72 international appearances. The striker took part in four FIFA World Cups™ and scored in each of them – a feat only equalled by Pele, Miroslav Klose and Cristiano Ronaldo. Seeler was captain in 1966 when West Germany made the Final and again four years later when they came third. His achievements for Die Mannschaft led to him being named as only the second honorary captain of the national team by the German Football Association (DFB) in 1972.

On the domestic front, Seeler played for Hamburger SV for 19 years, winning the German league in 1960 and the DFB Cup in 1963. He was a legendary figure for HSV, scoring 404 goals in 476 matches, finishing as the Bundesliga’s top scorer in the 1963/64 season and named as Germany’s Footballer of the Year three times.

Seeler was reputed for his fair play on the pitch and became an example to others off it, working for a whole host of charities and in honorary positions. His reputation spread way beyond the city of Hamburg, with all of Germany referring to him as ‘Our Uwe'.

“News of Uwe Seeler’s death hit us all hard,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “He is one of the greatest ever legends of German football. His performances and the records he set will never be forgotten. He was not just a great striker, but above and beyond that he was an example of how to be humble and down-to-earth. My sympathies and condolences go to his family and friends.”