Andreas Brehme dies aged 63: Football mourns Germany legend – who scored winning goal in 1990 World Cup final – after ‘unexpected’ cardiac arrest

Brehme’s partner Susanne Schaefer confirmed his death in a statement, which reads: “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.”

The report adds that Brehme was admitted to Ziemssenstrasse Hospital near his apartment in Munich after suffering the heart attack on Monday night, but he couldn’t be saved.

Brehme, who is survived by Schaefer and his two adult sons from his marriage to Pilar Martinez, won 86 caps for Germany and played for Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan at club level. During his decade-long international career, the defender featured in three World Cups, and famously scored the winning goal in the final of the 1990 tournament against Argentina.

As a modern full-back who never hesitated to push forward, Brehme was a popular figure among supporters and boasted an impressive goal record for a defender. He also won two Bundesliga titles during his time in the German top-flight, and earned a Serie A winners’ medal with Inter before going on to play for Real Zaragoza. Brehme eventually retired in 1998 after a second spell at Kaiserslautern.

Tributes started pouring in for Brehme on Tuesday morning, with Bayern among the clubs to pay their respects to their beloved former player. “FC Bayern is deeply shocked by the sudden death of Andreas Brehme,” the club said in a statement. “The German record champion is united in mourning with his relatives and friends. We will always keep Andreas Brehme in our hearts – as a world champion and even more so as a very special person. He will always be part of the FC Bayern family. Rest in peace, dear Andi!”

Kaiserslautern said in their own statement: “The FCK mourns the loss of Andreas Brehme. He wore the Red Devils jersey for a total of ten years and became German champion and cup winner with FCK. In 1990 he shot the German national team to the World Cup title with his penalty and finally became a football legend. The FCK family is deeply saddened and its thoughts are with Andi Brehme’s relatives and friends. We will honour his memory.”

Inter also said goodbye to Brehme in a post on social media, which reads: “A magnificent player, a true Interista. Ciao Andy, forever a legend ⚫️”

Brehme’s death comes just over a month after the passing of another Germany icon in Franz Beckenbauer. Sport BILD says Brehme was “deeply affected” by the loss of Beckenbauer, who coached him for the German national team. After hanging up his boots, Brehme moved into coaching himself, taking charge at Kaiserslautern and Unterhaching before spending a year at Stuttgart in an assistant role.

Lothar Matthaus famously described Brehme as the most talented footballer he played with, and he will forever be remembered for the lasting impact he made on the game.