The long-serving national football player and world champion Andreas Brehme has died unexpectedly at the age of 63.

As first reported by "Bild", the scorer of the winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday night.

Brehme was admitted to the emergency room at a hospital near his home, but according to the report, all help came too late.

Born in Hamburg, Brehme is one of the most successful German players ever, having won championships in Germany and Italy as well as the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan in 1991.

Brehme experienced the greatest sporting moment of his career in the final of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when he scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot against Argentina to win the title for the German national team.

Condolences from former clubs

During his professional career, Brehme played for 1. FC Saarbrücken, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Real Zaragoza.

He played 86 international matches and scored eight goals. The left-back won the Bundesliga twice - with Bayern and Kaiserslautern. As captain, he sensationally led the Red Devils to the title in 1998.

His former club from Munich commented on Tuesday morning:"FC Bayern is deeply shocked by the sudden death of Andreas Brehme. The German record champions are united in grief with his family and friends.

"We will always keep Andreas Brehme in our hearts. As a world champion and even more as a very special person,"

Bayern announced: "He will always be a part of the FC Bayern family. Rest in peace, dear Andi!"

Shortly after the death of Franz Beckenbauer, German football has lost another great."I am infinitely shocked. I will miss Andi very much as a player and especially as a person,"

Brehme's world champion colleague Pierre Littbarski told the SID: "Unfortunately, the sad news doesn't stop.

It's very, very sad for German football and especially for us 1990 world champions."

Inter Milan wrote: "A great player, a true Interista. Ciao Andi, forever a legend."