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Homburg (AP) - Horst Eckel, the last living soccer world champion from 1954, is in a hospital in Homburg after a serious fall.
His daughter Dagmar confirmed this to the German press agency on Monday.
The 88-year-old had a serious fall on December 22nd at home in Vogelbach, Palatinate, where he lives with his wife Hannelore.
Among other things, he suffered broken ribs, a concussion and a broken nose and jaw.
"He's doing fine so far," said Dagmar Eckel.
"He's amazingly tough and walks around the hospital."
The SWR had previously reported on the fall of the ex-world champion.
Eckel is one of the heroes of Bern who defeated the overwhelming Hungarians 3-2 in the legendary final of the 1954 World Cup.
The long-time professional of 1. FC Kaiserslautern was a confidante and friend of captain Fritz Walter, who would have turned 100 on October 31st.
At 19, Eckel was the first German champion with Kaiserslautern, and at 22 he was already world champion - as the youngest in the “Miracle of Bern”.
For Germany he played 32 international matches.
After his football career, he became a secondary school teacher.
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The soccer idol should stay in the hospital for the time being.
"He wanted to get out again on Christmas Eve, but that's too dangerous," said his daughter.
For this, the prominent patient watched the film “The Miracle of Bern” with the nurses and nurses at the university hospital.
Homepage of Horst Eckel
Horst Eckel Foundation
SWR report