Andreas Brehme, the iconic scorer of the winning goal for West Germany in the 1990 World Cup final, has passed away at the age of 63. Brehme’s successful professional career included stints with clubs such as Saarbruecken, Kaiserslautern, Inter Milan, and Real Zaragoza. His significant contribution to the German national team included 86 appearances and eight goals, with the most memorable being his 85th-minute penalty against Argentina, leading West Germany to their third World Cup title.
Kaiserslautern, where Brehme played for 10 seasons, expressed their intention to honor his memory, acknowledging his pivotal role in securing the Bundesliga and the German Cup. Similarly, Inter Milan, one of his former clubs, paid tribute to him as “a magnificent player and a true Interista.”
The sadness of Brehme’s passing is further compounded by the recent loss of another German football legend, Franz Beckenbauer, who managed the 1990 World Cup-winning team. Pierre Littbarski, a 1990 World Cup winner, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Brehme, emphasizing the profound impact on German football and the 1990 world champions.
Brehme’s legacy transcends national borders, as evidenced by Inter Milan’s decision to have their players wear black armbands in his honor during their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. His death marks the departure of a sporting icon whose contributions to the world of football will be celebrated and remembered for years to come.