“Uwe led the German national team in a great way and triumphed and suffered with his HSV. He dedicated his life to the football he loved – his kind of football: the sport that brings people together,” said the ex-professional FC Bayern Munich and world champion of 2014 about the long-time player and later president of Hamburger SV.
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Olaf Scholz (Federal Chancellor): “Germany mourns the loss of ‘Us Uwe’. He was a role model for many, a football legend and of course an honorary citizen of Hamburg. On his 80th birthday I was allowed to give the after-dinner speech: ‘We all really want to be like Us Uwe: self-confident and modest.’ He will be missed.”
Bernd Neuendorf (DFB President): “In Uwe Seeler we are losing one of the best footballers Germany has ever had. After Fritz Walter, he was the second honorary captain of the DFB, an idol for generations, a real role model. Many of his goals are unforgettable, such as his legendary goal with the back of his head in the Quarter-finals of the 1970 World Cup against England. But Uwe Seeler had an impact far beyond the football field. His down-to-earthness, his modesty and his connection to his hometown of Hamburg distinguished him throughout his life. (…) His death makes us unspeakably sad. Uwe Seeler The DFB and German football as a whole will be missed very much. We will miss ‘Us Uwe’ very much.”
Hansi Flick (national coach): “Uwe Seeler was a role model for generations of national players. With his down-to-earth, modest and reserved manner, he also inspired people off the pitch and won them over. His name is a symbol of loyalty to the club. He was on the pitch himself at four World Cups Rasen, later he accompanied our national team to tournaments as honorary captain and part of the DFB delegation, for example to South Africa in 2010. We always enjoyed having him around. Uwe Seeler inspired us. All of us in the national team and at the DFB will miss him very much.”
Rudi Voeller: “I’m shocked. My thoughts are with his family, to whom I express my deepest condolences. Uwe was a wonderful person, one of the greatest German sporting idols has left us.”
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (national coach): “I remember a fantastic person, the news of his death affected us. What we can all learn from him is his modesty and his passion for football. We are deeply touched and will play a bit for Uwe Seeler today, our heartfelt condolences to the family.”