As of: February 22, 2024, 11:55 a.m
By: Jan Oeftger
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Split
Andi Brehme and Rudi Völler became world champions together in 1990.
In the Bundesliga relegation final in 1996, both of them shared a very special, tearful scene.
Leverkusen – United in success, but there for each other even in defeat: Andi Brehme and Rudi Völler celebrated their greatest triumph together with the world championship title.
But in 1996 there was another scene that many football fans will remember: when Brehme cried on Völler's shoulder.
First world champions together, then a relegation battle against each other
It was a Bundesliga relegation battle in May 1996. Leverkusen and Kaiserslautern meet on the last matchday in a direct duel to stay in the league.
The starting position is clear: either Völler will be relegated with the Werkself or Brehme will be relegated with Kaiserslautern.
Leverkusen have a better starting position.
One point is enough for you to stay in the league.
They also play in front of a home crowd.
Before the game, the friends joke with each other.
However, the friendship rests on the pitch.
Both world champions fight for their colors.
Kaiserslautern takes the lead.
But thanks to Leverkusen's equalizer, Völler and Co. can just about save themselves from staying in the league.
For Brehme there is a bitter certainty: relegation to league two.
Andreas Brehme (right) cries on Rudi Völler's shoulder.
© Thorsten Bischoff/X
Brehme lets his emotions run wild on Völler's shoulder
Afterwards the legendary moment occurs.
Brehme lets his emotions run wild.
He bursts into tears.
But he can rely on the shoulder of a friend.
None other than opponent Völler supports his world champion colleague.
The “sudden” news of his friend’s death makes Völler “infinitely sad today.
Andi was our World Cup hero, but for me even more - he was my close friend and companion to this day.
I will miss his wonderful joy of life.” He wished the survivors “a lot of strength.”
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Former Kaiserslautern club mourns Brehme
When he died, his former club Kaiserslautern also wrote an obituary and recalled their shared successes: “The FCK mourns the loss of Andreas Brehme.
He wore the Red Devils jersey for a total of ten years and became German champion and cup winner with FCK.
In 1990 he shot the German national team to the World Cup title with his penalty and finally became a football legend.”
(jo)