Andreas Brehme, the former Inter and Bayern Munich player who scored the penalty that made Germany World Cup winners in 1990, has died aged 63.
The death of the former HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst,FC Saarbrucken, Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, Inter and Real Zaragoza player was announced by his partner Susanne Schaefer.
The German press reports that Brehme, who was rushed to the Ziemssenstrassede clinic in Munich, died of cardiac arrest.
Andreas Brehme’s football career: Germany, Italy and Spain
Andreas Brehme, a full-back capable of playing with both feet, was recognised as one of the most elegant footballers of his time.
He started his career with Barmbeck Uhlenhorst, a team from his hometown Hamburg.
After five seasons he got the chance to join Kaiserslautern, and after five years it was Bayern who came knocking on his door in 1986.
In 1988 Brehme moved to Inter to join his compatriots Jurgen Klinsmann and Lothar Matthaus in the Italian team, where he won three trophies (a Scudetto, an Italian Super Cup and a UEFA Cup).
He spent four years in Italy, only one season with Zaragoza (31 games and four goals) before returning to his beloved Kaiserslautern from 1993 to 1998.
Brehme retired after winning two Bundesligas (one with Bayern in 1987 and one with Kaiserslautern in 1998).
Andreas Brehme, a deceptive penalty’ for German football history: World Cup winner in 1990
Brehme, capped 86 times for Germany, scored their winning goal five minutes from time in the 1990 World Cup final.
Brehme took the controversial penalty with his ‘weak’ foot, his right, to stun Sergio Goycochea and beat Argentina 1-0.
With Germany he also won Euro 1996.
In 2006 Brehme admitted in the daily ‘El Pais’ that there was no foul by Roberto Sensini on Rudi Voller in the decisive penalty awarded by Edgardo Codesal: “It was not a penalty…. Klaus Augenthaler had been awarded a penalty before that, but the one I scored was not.
“Sensini‘s tackle on Voller was a fair tackle, but it was dangerous to do it inside the box,” said the German defender.
Football reacts to the death of Andreas Brehme
“Andreas Brehme has passed away. Former Real Zaragoza player in the 1992/93 season and World Cup winner with Germany. We will always remember you, Andreas. Rest in peace,” Real Zaragoza posted on X (Twitter).
“Rest in peace, Andy,” posted the German national team on Twitter.
“FC Bayern is deeply shocked by the sudden passing of Andreas Brehme. We will always carry Andreas Brehme in our hearts, as a world champion and above all as a very special person. He will always be part of the FC Bayern family – rest in peace, dear Andi!” shared Bayern on social media.
“Kaiserslautern mourns the loss of Andreas Brehme. In total he wore the shirt of the ‘Red Devils’ for 10 years and was German Champion and Cup winner with FCK. In 1990, with his penalty kick, he led the German national team to the World Cup title and finally became a football legend. The FCK family is deeply saddened and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Andi Brehme. We will honour his memory,” Kaiserslautern posted.
“A magnificent player, a great interista. Ciao Andy, forever a legend,” Inter posted in farewell to Brehme.
Real Madrid released a statement after learning of the death of Andreas Brehme: “Real Madrid C. F., its president and its board of directors deeply regret the death of Andreas Brehme, a legend of German and world football.
“Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his clubs and all his loved ones.”
Xavier Aguado, Brehme‘s teammate at Real Zaragoza, wanted to say goodbye to the German player: “Very sad day, you have gone too soon Andy. You were the only player I never knew with which leg I could hit the ball better. Your crosses were a glory for those of us who went up to finish. A pleasure to have been able to play with a World Champion. Rest in Peace”.