German football has lost another of its historic figures with the death of Frank Mill, who was part of the West German team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1990. His former clubs, Fortuna Düsseldorf and Rot-Weiss Essen, confirmed the news on Tuesday.
Though Mill didn’t get playtime during the World Cup in Italy, his inclusion in the victorious squad remains a highlight of his international career, which spanned 17 caps. He was also a standout player in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, where he helped West Germany secure a bronze medal.
A seasoned forward, Mill’s club-level achievements include winning the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund and earning immense respect at Essen, where his career began.
Rot-Weiss Essen’s tribute read, “He was a legend and an ambassador for football across the country,” reflecting the widespread admiration for Mill’s contributions to the sport.
His death from a severe heart attack suffered in May makes him the second member of the iconic 1990 squad to pass away, following the death of Andreas Brehme earlier this year.