In 1990, Andreas Brehme scored 1-0 with a penalty in the World Cup final against Argentina, making Germany world champions. The footballer has now died at the age of 63.
The soccer player, coach and 1990 world champion Andreas Brehme is dead. He died of a heart attack at the age of 63, as his partner Susanne Schaefer confirmed to the dpa news agency on behalf of his family. The Bild newspaper had previously reported on his death.
“It is with deep sadness that I announce on behalf of the family that my partner Andreas Brehme died suddenly and unexpectedly tonight as a result of a cardiac arrest. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time and refrain from asking questions,” said Schaefer’s message .
On the death of Andreas Brehme
From Barmbek-Uhlenhorst to world champion
International career
Brehme was born in Hamburg in 1960 and was supported by his father from an early age. As a 19-year-old, he came to the then second division club 1. FC Saarbrücken and after just one season moved to the first division club 1. FC Kaiserslautern. This was followed by a global career with stints at FC Bayern and Inter Milan. Brehme was also briefly employed by Real Zaragoza.
He won the German championship with Kaiserslautern and Bayern. In 1990 he made Germany world champions with his final penalty against Argentina. In total, Brehme played 86 international matches for the German national team.
As the DFB team boss at the time, the recently deceased Franz Beckenbauer once judged Brehme: “Andy is the most perfect footballer we have.”
“Andy was our World Cup hero”
Brehme’s world champion colleague Rudi Völler reacted with dismay to the news of his death. “Andy was our World Cup hero, but for me even more – he was my close friend and companion to this day. I will miss his wonderful joy of life. My thoughts are now with his survivors, his friends, and especially with his two sons. I wish them all a lot of strength,” Völler was quoted as saying in a statement from the German Football Association, of which he is the sports director.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf wrote on X: “Andreas Brehme is one of the greatest and best football players in German history. […] We will never forget the footballer and the person Andreas Brehme – we will miss him very much.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser praised Brehme as an “icon of German football”. The minister, who is also responsible for sport, said: “Andreas Brehme will be remembered by all football fans. He was an outstanding footballer with great achievements. His decisive penalty in the 1990 World Cup final in Rome was a goal for eternity.”
Beckenbauer as a role model
After his career as a player, Brehme entered the coaching business, but he was unable to build on his earlier successes. He coached Kaiserslautern, SpVgg Unterhaching and was an assistant coach at VfB Stuttgart.
In January, Brehme had touching words about the death of the legend Beckenbauer. “I think in heaven he will create a magic triangle with Pelé and Maradona,” he said. “As a little boy, like probably every boy in Germany, I had a Franz Beckenbauer poster hanging over my bed. Later he became my boss and I was allowed to work with him. And in the end we became close friends. That’s why I told Franz a lot to be grateful for.”
Claudia Hoogestraat, NDR, tagesschau, February 20, 2024 11:17 a.m