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Horst Eckel (October 2020)
Photo: Uwe Anspach / dpa
Horst Eckel is in a hospital in Homburg after a serious fall.
His daughter Dagmar confirmed a corresponding report from the SWR on Monday.
The 88-year-old fell on December 22nd at home in Vogelbach, Palatinate, where he lives with his wife Hannelore.
The last living soccer world champion from 1954 suffered, among other things, broken ribs, a concussion and a broken nose and maxillary sinus, it said.
"He's fine so far," said Dagmar Eckel.
"He's amazingly tough and walks around the hospital."
Her father will be referred to the geriatrics department on Wednesday to begin rehabilitation, said Dagmar Eckel.
“He's not in severe pain.
But the doctors said it could have turned out very differently. "
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.
"He wanted out again on Christmas Eve"
Dagmar Eckel
The football idol was German champion with Kaiserslautern for the first time when he was 19, and already world champion at 22 - 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.
The prominent patient watched the movie "The Miracle of Bern" with the nurses and nurses at the university hospital.
"He wanted to go out on Christmas Eve, but it's too dangerous," said his daughter.
The risk of falling again is too great.
“You have to protect him.
He takes it all a little too lightly. "
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wit / sid / dpa