Germany World Cup Winner Sadly Passes Away After Suffering Heart Attack
- He was part of West Germany's squad that won the FIFA World Cup in Italy, serving as a backup striker during the tournament
- The striker played over 100 games each for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, also featuring in the 1993 UEFA Cup final
- He suffered a heart attack in May 2025 and passed away 10 weeks later, despite being revived and placed in an artificial coma
Former Germany international and 1990 World Cup champion Frank Mill has sadly passed away at the age of 67.
Mill reportedly suffered a heart attack in late May and is believed to have died in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Source: Getty Images
What caused Frank Mill's death
According to German outlet Bild, the former striker collapsed shortly after getting into a taxi at Milan Malpensa Airport.
He had just arrived in Italy to take part in a documentary marking Germany’s famous World Cup victory in 1990.
Mill was a respected figure in German football, having represented clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Fortuna Düsseldorf.
He earned 17 caps for the national team and was part of the squad that lifted the World Cup in Italy.
Mill was airlifted to a hospital following the cardiac arrest and was reportedly without vital signs for several minutes before doctors managed to resuscitate him.
He was initially placed in an induced coma as medics worked to stabilise his condition. Once stable, he was transferred back to his hometown of Essen, Germany, to continue his recovery.
Despite fighting for over 10 weeks, Mill sadly passed away at 2:30 a.m., with local reports confirming the heart attack as the cause of death.
Fortuna Düsseldorf pay tribute to Mill
The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and former clubs.
Fortuna Düsseldorf, where Mill spent the final two years of his playing career, shared a heartfelt message:
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"Rest in peace, Frank Mill. As we learned this morning, our former player and manager passed away at the age of 67 due to the consequences of a heart attack.
"Our thoughts are with Frank's family & all those who were close to him."
While his first team, Rot-Weiss Essen, said:
"Rot-Weiss Essen mourns the loss of its former striker Frank Mill. The native Essener passed away in the night from Monday, August 4, to Tuesday, August 5, due to the consequences of a severe heart attack.
"He was only 67 years old. In total, Frank Mill, who joined RWE from Eintracht Essen in 1972 at the age of 14, played 165 professional matches (90 goals) for Rot-Weiss. Rest in peace, legend!"
Frank Mill's playing career
Frank Mill earned 17 caps for the national team and helped Die Mannschaft secure an Olympic bronze medal.
Although he was part of the 1990 World Cup-winning squad, he served as the fourth-choice striker behind Rudi Völler, Jürgen Klinsmann, and Karl-Heinz Riedle and did not feature during the tournament.
Mill began his professional journey with his hometown club, Rot-Weiss Essen, before securing a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1981.
Source: Getty Images
There, he made over 100 appearances in five years.
He later joined Borussia Dortmund, adding another 100-plus games to his name and playing a key role in the side that reached the 1993 UEFA Cup final, ultimately losing to Juventus.
In 1994, Mill signed with Fortuna Düsseldorf, where he played the final two seasons of his career before retiring in 1996.
His passing has left a lasting impact on German football, with tributes pouring in to honour the legacy of the former striker.
Frank Mill’s quiet legacy lives on
Off the pitch, Frank Mill’s legacy stretched far beyond goals and trophies. After retirement, he founded a youth football academy, focused on teaching life values through sport, discipline, respect, and inclusion.
His academy became a safe space for children of all backgrounds, especially those from immigrant families, showing Mill's dedication to unity through football.
He regularly took part in charity matches and grassroots tournaments, often showing up unannounced just to encourage the kids or lend a helping hand.
Former teammates often spoke of his sharp wit and warm spirit, calling him the “unofficial team psychologist” for his ability to lighten up tense dressing rooms.
Brazilian goalkeeper dies after drowning
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a Brazilian goalkeeper tragically passed away after disappearing during a swim with his girlfriend in Portugal.
The 27-year-old had a career spanning Brazil, Spain, and Portugal, most recently playing for GD Canales.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
