West Germany's 1990 World Cup hero Andreas Brehme dies aged 63

The football world mourns the loss of Andreas Brehme, the iconic figure whose decisive goal led West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup final against Argentina. Brehme's demise at the age of 63 was confirmed by his partner, Susanne Schaefer, who announced that he passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” due to a cardiac arrest.

Bayern Munich, one of Brehme's former clubs, paid tribute to him, stating, “Andreas Brehme will forever be in our hearts, as a World Cup winner and, more importantly, as a very special person,” on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Renowned for his versatility and skill, Brehme was primarily known for his role as an attacking left-back during his heyday in the 1980s and 1990s. His contributions were pivotal to Germany's triumph in the 1990 World Cup, particularly noted for scoring in the semifinal against England, a match that West Germany won through a penalty shootout, and his unforgettable 85th-minute penalty in the final that clinched the title for his team in Rome. This victory sparked nationwide celebrations in Germany, coinciding with the country's reunification process following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Brehme's illustrious international career spanned 86 caps, representing both West Germany and the unified Germany, marking him as one of the country's football legends.

On the club front, Brehme's achievements were equally remarkable. He was instrumental in winning the German Bundesliga title twice—once with Bayern Munich in 1987 and again with Kaiserslautern in 1998, a feat made all the more notable as it came right after the team's promotion. Furthermore, his tenure with Inter Milan was marked by winning the Serie A championship in 1989, adding an international dimension to his successful career.

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(With AP inputs)