Andreas Brehme, who scored Germany's winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final, has died at age 63 of cardiac arrest, his partner Susanne Schaefer confirmed to dpa on Tuesday on behalf of the family.
"It is with deep sadness that I announce on behalf of the family that my partner Andreas Brehme passed away suddenly and unexpectedly overnight following a cardiac arrest. We ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time and refrain from asking questions," Schaefer's statement read.
Full back Brehme won 86 Germany caps between 1984 and 1994, and his successful late penalty in the 1990 final in Rome against Diego Maradona's Argentina gave Germany a then third World Cup title.
"I am shocked, very moved and infinitely sad. My sympathy go out to his family and friends, whom I wish much strength in these difficult hours," German Football Federation (DFB) president Bernd Neundorf said in a statement.
"Andreas Brehme is one of the greatest and best footballers in German history. German football owes him an infinite amount. Alongside Mario Götze, Gerd Müller and Helmut Rahn, he was one of the four German players who scored our national team to the World Cup title.
"We will never forget Andreas Brehme the footballer and the person - we will miss him very much."
Hamburg born Brehme played at three World Cups, losing the 1986 final in Mexico City against Argentina.
Rudi Völler, who also played on the 1986 and 1990 teams and is now national team sporting director, said: "I can't believe it at all. The news of Andreas' sudden death makes me incredibly sad.
"Andy was our World Cup hero, but for me he was much more than that - he was my close friend and companion to this day. I will miss his wonderful zest for life. My thoughts are now with his bereaved family, his friends and especially his two sons."
Brehme's best time as a club player came at Inter Milan 1988-1992 where he won the Serie A in 1989 and the UEFA Cup in 1991. Brehme won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, where he played 1986-1988, and with Kaiserslautern, where he spent two terms 1981-1986 and 1993-1998. He also played at Spain's Zaragoza 1992-93.
Brehme later became a coach, with lesser success, at clubs including Kaiserslautern and Unterhaching.
"The FCK family is in deep mourning and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Andi Brehme. We will honour his memory," Kaiserslautern said on X.
Former Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who was part of the 1986 team, said in a club statement: "I'm deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Andi Brehme's death. Andi was a great team player, who was extremely loyal and reliable. His love of life was infectious."
Bayern president Herbert Hainer added: "The news of the death of Andreas Brehme is a shock for FC Bayern and all German football fans. Andreas Brehme made history and will always be our 1990 World Cup winner. He was a down-to-earth person and someone you could always depend on. He'll forever be part of the FC Bayern family."
Inter said on X: "A magnificent player, a true Interista. Ciao Andy, forever a legend." The club also announced that the players will wear black armbands in Tuesday night's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid "in honour of the German great."
Brehme's death comes a few weeks after that of German football icon Franz Beckenbauer, who coached the team at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups after winning it as a player in 1974.
