“It is with huge sadness that I can confirm in the name of the family that my partner Andreas Brehme died suddenly and unexpectedly of a cardiac arrest last night,” Schaefer stated. “We ask at this difficult time to respect our privacy and to refrain from asking questions.” Reports indicate that Brehme was taken to a clinic near his apartment in Munich, but medical help arrived too late.
The loss of Brehme marks the departure of a pivotal figure in modern German football history. As a versatile left-back, he was part of the West German squad managed by Franz Beckenbauer that defeated Argentina 1-0 in Rome on 8 July 1990. With the match level at 0-0 and time running out, Brehme stepped up to take a penalty. In a moment that has become part of football folklore, he struck the ball with his right foot—a deliberate choice given his reputation as a two-footed player. “The left is for hard shots, the right for precision,” Brehme later explained, citing early coaching from his father, Bernd, which emphasized the use of both feet. His goal joined those of Helmut Rahn (1954) and Gerd Müller (1974) in the exclusive club of World Cup final scorers for Germany, a list that Mario Götze would later extend in 2014.
Brehme’s international career spanned two decades, earning him 86 caps and eight goals for West Germany/Germany. Notably, five of those goals came at major tournaments. He was also a key member of the 1986 squad that lost the World Cup final to Argentina, a rivalry that would culminate in the 1990 rematch. Beyond the final, Brehme played a significant role in the semi-final victory over England, which was also decided on penalties.
His club career was equally distinguished by longevity and success. Born in Hamburg, Brehme began his professional journey at FC Saarbrücken in 1980 before moving to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. It was at Kaiserslautern that he transitioned from a promising wingback to a star player, eventually becoming a club legend. In 1986, he moved to Bayern Munich for a then-record fee of two million Deutsch Marks (approximately €1 million). During his two-year stint, he won the Bundesliga title in 1987. In 1988, he transferred to Inter Milan, where he formed a dominant defensive and attacking trio with Jürgen Klinsmann and captain Lothar Matthäus. At Inter, he was named Italian footballer of the year in 1989 and won the Serie A title that season, followed by the UEFA Cup in 1991.
After a brief spell at Real Zaragoza in Spain, Brehme returned to Kaiserslautern in 1993. He remained with the club, known as the “Red Devils,” until his retirement in 1998, having played over 300 games for them. His return was instrumental in the club’s resurgence; he helped lead them to promotion in 1996 and was part of the squad that achieved a sensational Bundesliga triumph in 1998. He also won the German Cup with Kaiserslautern in 1996. Following his playing career, Brehme moved into management, serving as the coach for Kaiserslautern from 2000 to 2002, and continuing in coaching roles until 2006.
The news of his death has shocked the footballing world, particularly those who played alongside him. Former teammate Guido Buchwald told SID he was “so shocked… I can hardly think straight,” noting that Germany had recently lost two key figures in Franz Beckenbauer, who died in January at age 78, and now Brehme. “In Franz and Andi we’ve recently lost two people to whom we owe so much,” Buchwald said. Rudi Völler, another former teammate, described Brehme as “our World Cup hero” and a close friend, stating, “I will miss his wonderful love of life.” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who played alongside Brehme at the 1986 World Cup, added, “The news has hit me hard and I am shocked… His joy of life was always infectious and the fact that he has left us at the age of 63 is very sad.”
Institutional tributes have also followed. Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Association (DFB), expressed being “deeply saddened,” calling Brehme “one of the greatest and best football players in German history.” Bayern Munich released a statement saying the club was “deeply shocked,” adding, “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.” Inter Milan, honoring their former star, announced that their players would wear black armbands during their upcoming Champions League first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Kaiserslautern, the club where Brehme spent the bulk of his career, mourned the loss of a man who “wore the Red Devils jersey for a total of 10 years and became German champion and cup winner with FCK.” German newspapers, including Bild, reflected on the 1990 penalty as a “penalty for the ages,” recalling the anecdote that Brehme was not originally chosen to take the kick because Lothar Matthäus was wearing replacement boots and felt uncomfortable, while Völler was also involved in the decision-making process. Ultimately, it was Brehme’s precision that delivered the trophy to West Germany.
Brehme’s death leaves a void in German football, not only for his on-field heroics but for the character he displayed off it. From his early days in Saarbrücken to his legendary status in Kaiserslautern and his international glory in Rome, his career was defined by consistency, skill, and a profound impact on the sport. He is survived by his partner, Susanne Schaefer, and family, who have requested privacy during this difficult time.
