After the death of Andreas Brehme: World Cup colleagues mourn their “hero”

The football world mourns Andi Brehme (1960-2024). The 1990 world champion and final goalscorer died of a heart attack on Tuesday night (February 20) at the age of just 63. Companions of the national player such as Lothar Matthäus (62) and Jürgen Klinsmann (59) spoke up on social networks during the day and said goodbye to the 1990 World Cup hero.

Lothar Matthäus, who was captain of the German national team at the 1990 World Cup, which shows him with Brehme. “Andi. My friend. My teammate. My hero,” writes Matthäus. The photo series shows a laughing Brehme shaking hands with Matthäus, dressed in the FC Bayern club colors. In another photo, Matthäus and Brehme pose in Inter Milan jerseys. Both played for the Italian club between 1988 and 1992. Another picture shows the celebrations after the 1990 World Cup triumph. A laughing Brehme carries the winner’s trophy in his hand.

Jürgen Klinsmann is “stunned”

Former German national coach Jürgen Klinsmann, also part of the victorious 1990 team and Brehme’s teammate at Inter Milan between 1989 and 1992, also . Regarding a scene from the 1990 World Cup final, which shows Brehme and his teammates celebrating the goal, Klinsmann writes: “Dear Andy, we are stunned that you have left us. You were always there for us and made us world champions in 1990 Made! We will always carry you in our hearts and be forever grateful to you!”

Oliver Kahn and Philipp Lahm mourn

Also ex-national goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (54). “We say goodbye to Andreas, who always maintained his love for our favorite sport. I will never forget our great times together with the national team, his down-to-earth and humorous personality brought joy to everyone,” writes Kahn.

Philipp Lahm (40), 2014 world champion and, like Brehme, a former Bayern player, said: “My first conscious memories as a football fan are associated with Andy Brehme. In 1990 I watched almost every game on television with my grandfather.” Brehme became an “idol” of Lahm in Italy. He concludes his post with the words: “It’s a sad day for German football and for me. Rest in peace.”

Also FIFA President Gianni Infantino (53). “The news of the death of Andreas Brehme at the age of just 63 makes me very sad. Just last month we were both in Munich together to honor the life of the great Franz Beckenbauer. It is tragic that we are now hearing the death of Mourning Andy.” Infantino calls the deceased “an icon of world football and one of my idols.”