Polish footballer Włodzimierz Smolarek dies aged 54

March 7, 2012



, a former Polish international footballer, has died aged 54 years. According to today's announcement by the (Polish FA), the cause of death is unknown. He was capped 60 times for the Polish national team and was a member of the squad that came third.

"It's hard for me to imagine. Wlodek was my friend, a buddy from the field", said Polish FA President, a former team mate of Smolarek. "He was the team's good spirit."

, another one of Smolarek's team mates, spoke about his death saying "We played so many games together in Widzew or with the white eagle on a Polish shirt, it is such a shame". He is the first member of the 1982 team to die.

He also played with and. He won the Polish league title with Lodz twice. He scored 65 goals in 199 games in the top flight of Polish football. He spent time playing in Germany and the Netherlands before becoming a coach, and a Polish FA youth scout.

His son is also a footballer, having played for the  and  as well as the Polish national team.