Max Morlock would have celebrated his 90th birthday today. He will be honoured during 1. FC Nürnberg’s home game against Eintracht Braunschweig. DFB.de remembers the striker, who scored in the 1954 World Cup final, today.
The current Nürnberg side will finish the season in a “Max Morlock top” – his name will be emblazoned on the front as opposed to the sponsor. This honour is well deserved: He played 451 times for the club in the Oberliga Süd (286 goals) and was active during the first Bundesliga season. He also scored 21 times in 26 goals for Germany.
On the scoresheet in the 1954 World Cup final
Morlock was especially lethal in the 1954 World Cup – he scored six times in five appearances, including the goal which got Germany back into the final against Hungary. They were 2-0 down at the time but he gave them hope and they eventually lifted the title. It was his only World Cup – he was too old.
Morlock’s career started with Eintracht Nürnberg, where he made his senior debut aged just 16. He crowned his debut with a brace and was no longer an unknown. Although that’s not strictly accurate as he played under a pseudonym in order to relieve future pressure on him.
54 goals in the 1942/43 Gauliga
Shortly before his 18th birthday he was introduced to Sepp Herberger for the first time. In April 1942 he was the youngest player at a course for future Germany internationals but had to wait to make his senior debut – the Second World War hindered football in the country. He finally made his international debut in 1950 when West Germany faced Switzerland. In the 1942/43 Gauliga season he scored 54 of Nürnberg’s 125 goals.
During the war he spend time in Denmark and in Berlin, where he ended up being imprisoned by the English, however, he was eventually released. In 1948 he helped Nürnberg become the first German post-war Champions.
Max Morlock would have celebrated his 90th birthday today. He will be honoured during 1. FC Nürnberg’s home game against Eintracht Braunschweig. DFB.de remembers the striker, who scored in the 1954 World Cup final, today.
The current Nürnberg side will finish the season in a “Max Morlock top” – his name will be emblazoned on the front as opposed to the sponsor. This honour is well deserved: He played 451 times for the club in the Oberliga Süd (286 goals) and was active during the first Bundesliga season. He also scored 21 times in 26 goals for Germany.
On the scoresheet in the 1954 World Cup final
Morlock was especially lethal in the 1954 World Cup – he scored six times in five appearances, including the goal which got Germany back into the final against Hungary. They were 2-0 down at the time but he gave them hope and they eventually lifted the title. It was his only World Cup – he was too old.
Morlock’s career started with Eintracht Nürnberg, where he made his senior debut aged just 16. He crowned his debut with a brace and was no longer an unknown. Although that’s not strictly accurate as he played under a pseudonym in order to relieve future pressure on him.
54 goals in the 1942/43 Gauliga
Shortly before his 18th birthday he was introduced to Sepp Herberger for the first time. In April 1942 he was the youngest player at a course for future Germany internationals but had to wait to make his senior debut – the Second World War hindered football in the country. He finally made his international debut in 1950 when West Germany faced Switzerland. In the 1942/43 Gauliga season he scored 54 of Nürnberg’s 125 goals.
During the war he spend time in Denmark and in Berlin, where he ended up being imprisoned by the English, however, he was eventually released. In 1948 he helped Nürnberg become the first German post-war Champions.
Driving license debacle
The drama wasn’t over yet though. He once drove the team coach from Nürnberg to a game in Düsseldorf, having assured his team mates that he was legal. It was only once they arrived at their destination that he came clean and admitted he didn’t have a driving license. Ahead of a game in Pforzheim he had been drinking and even though he was worse for wear, he managed to score five times!
"I wouldn’t change a thing"
He wasn’t just known for his escapades, Kicker described him as a “humble player with no airs and graces.” Morlock didn’t consider himself to be a star or a hero and showed his love for the game in 1975 when he said that he “wouldn’t change a thing even for a huge sum of money.”
In 1950 he was subject to an offer from Italian side Atalanta Bergamo but he decided to stay at home with his family and children, despite the riches that were offered to him. His loyalty was rewarded in 1961 when he lifted the German Championship once again, this time as captain. He was also named Footballer of the Year for his performances in that campaign.
Morlock retired aged 39, after the Bundesliga’s inaugural season. Unfortunately, in 1994 he died of cancer. He’s never been forgotten. The square outside of Nürnberg’s stadium is named after him and in the coming weeks his name will be there for all to see. He would undoubtedly be proud about the way that he has been remembered for his role in the “Miracle of Bern.”
