Andreas Brehme died unexpectedly. Just six weeks ago I was speaking with him about the death of his friend Franz Beckenbauer. A personal memory.
This took Brehme very seriously; he was deeply affected by it. Just a few minutes ago, he said, he cried bitterly for the first time in many years. Brehme collected himself and still insisted on finding at least a few words in honor of the “Emperor”. This was important to him and a special concern.
“It’s always very sad and sad when a friend dies,” he said. As a player and coach, Beckenbauer became world champion, did so much for German football and then brought the World Cup to Germany. But above all, Brehme emphasized, he was a “super person”. This, it seemed, was even more important for Brehme.
Brehme talked about New Year’s Eve with Beckenbauer
Until the end, he was one of the few people who were very close to Beckenbauer, even in the last year of his life, which was marked by illness. He visited him regularly at home in Salzburg. In the phone call, he reminisced and talked about New Year’s Eves together and other private meetings, including the last one last August. Beckenbauer “made a somewhat weakened impression,” but was positive and in a good mood. Despite his sadness for Beckenbauer, Brehme also seemed positive when I spoke to him on the phone.
“The 1990 World Cup title in Italy brought us very closely together,” said Brehme, “and it will stay that way forever.” This applies now more than ever to the world of football.
Because back then, Brehme shot Germany to the World Cup title and himself into football history with his penalty goal. I was only six years old at the time and have no personal memories of it.
This is my Brehme moment for eternity
But I remember a scene six years later all the more vividly: At that time, Brehme was crying in the arms of his opponent after the 1-1 draw with 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the last game of the season against Bayer Leverkusen (1-2) and the resulting relegation World champion colleague Rudi Völler. Just like Brehme, I also suffered as a child with the club of my heart – and cried.
A year later, Brehme returned to the Bundesliga with FCK and, as a promoted team, wrote an unprecedented championship fairytale together with coach Otto Rehhagel and his team. A worthy, perfect, almost too cheesy conclusion to Brehme’s professional career. Even with this piece of football history, he will not only be remembered forever by me.
In our last phone call, Brehme said that Beckenbauer would now create a magic triangle in heaven with Pelé and Maradona. This has now become a magical square all too quickly. Because in Brehme they have now got a fourth teammate who is hardly less talented and worthy. There is no question who will take the penalties. Before I hung up, I said, “Hopefully next time we’ll talk on a happier occasion.” My hope was in vain.