Two Hannover fans at makeshift memorial (AP Photo/Focke Strangmann)
To people that follow the game it was a shock. To fans of Hannover 96, it was complete disbelief. Goalkeeper Robert Enke died Tuesday evening after being run over by a train that was arriving into the station over in the nearby town of Neustadt am Rübenberg.
According to reports from the police they have come to the conclusion that this was a suicide as his car was found a few meters away, unlocked, and with his wallet sitting on the passenger side. "It was a suicide," said the player's agent and friend Jörg who refused to say anything else regarding the matter.
The incident occured at around 6pm local time and soon the news spread like wildfire all over Europe. Barcelona, team which he played for in the 2002-03 season, wore black armband in memory of the fallen colleague. Once news spread of the death of the Hannover captain, makeshift memorials were made at the stadium as well as at the train station where the death occured.
(AP Photo/Focke Strangmann)
The news was a huge shock to the German national team who was practicing in Bonn for their upcoming friendly matches against Chile in Köln and Ivory Coast in Africa.
Coach Joachim Löw had Enke in his plans for the upcoming World Cup in Germany and decided to give the goalkeeper some time to recover from until he injured his hand and then was struck down with a serious case of campylobacter bacteria in his intestines that had him suffering from dysentery-like symptoms for well over a month and saw him miss the last four German World Cup qualifying matches. After overcoming that, Enke returned to practice with Hannover and played this past weekend against Hamburg.
"We are in a state of shock and deep sorrow. Our hearts go out to (Robert's) wife and hif family," said federation president Theo Zwanziger. He also mentioned that there is still no plans as to what might happen regarding the friendly on Saturday as some media outlets are asking for it to not be postponed due to the former German international's passing. A statement is expected on Wednesday regarding this matter and other regarding the death of one of the most popular players in the Bundesling and on the German national team.
Even former Benfica teammate Nuno Gomes expressed his sorrow. "It's hard for me to believe that he died. This is a great loss for world football to lose an individual as unique as him in time like these."
Enke despite having to deal with the challenges of the football pitch he had to deal with others that made an insult or a jeer from fans and foes seem minute. Hannover president Martin Kind spoke of him and mentioned that he had some "emotional instability" but "never imagined anything like this".
In addition to having an impressive list of teams on his resume that included Barcelona, Benfica, Borussia Monchengladbach, and Fenrbahce. Although he was not given a great deal of opportunities to play, once he returned to he was quickly making a name for himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Europe. Enke made was first called up to Die Manschafft back in 1999 and was part of the team that took part in that year's Confederations Cup. Eight years leater he returned and quickly became a player at the goalkeeper position He earned six caps for the German national team and was well on his way to becoming the heir apparent to Jens Lehmann,
But regardless of the fame and fortune there was one thing he could never replace. To many that knew him, his daughter Lara was his greatest joy. His little girl suffered from a congenital heart condition and died at the age of two back in 2006. Enke, like any other father, was devastated. Many even come to say that he never recovered from Lara's death. What makes this story even sadder is that his daughter is buried just 200 meters from where he died on Tuesday evening.
Enke is survived by his wife Teresa and his adopted baby.
Readers: If you would like to leave your condolences please do so in the comments sections. We will do everything in our power to send them to Hannover 96 accordingly.
Comments
a sad loss to the soccer family we all are part of. Rest in Paradise.
This is tragedy . . .
Though obviously the family of Robert Enke will not see this comment i would still like to leave my heartfelt condolences for those who he is survived by, knowing nothing about what the loss of a child must be like but everything about depression and anxiety type problems i can only imagine what pain he was in that drove him to take his own life and i wish that finally now he has peace. Rest in peace Robert Enke
My deep condolences to his family...You'll never walk alone
my deepest and heartfelt condolences to Enke's family...may god grant eternal rest to Enke and comfort his family and the Germans in this hour of distress
This is a massive tragedy to the football world not only in Germany, but all over the world. I was a big fan of Robert, he was definitely one of the best when he wanted to be and he is a big loss. May he rest in peace with his daughter who tragically lost her life of a heart defect in 2006. I hope you have gone to a better place! R.I.P Robert you will be sadly missed. From Australia.
Deep condolences, all the support for the family that's being left behind. RIP Robert Enke, thanks for being a good goalie.
Robert Enke, Although I never met you personally you will be always in my thoughts and prayers. May you rest in peace with your daughter Lara.
enke a naçao benfiquista está contigo e com toda a tua familia
descansa em paz
Rest in Peace Dear Robert joying your lovely daughter Lara in Paradise.
WE (BENFICA supporters) will never forget you.
Rest in Peace.
All BENFICA supporters will never forget you.
E PLURIBUS UNUM
It will always be remembered by fans of Benfica with affection and longing. It was an outstanding professional and a man of great character.
Benfica's family is sad and most unfortunate with this tragedy :(
R.I.P. Robert Enke
Robert, que descanses em paz...
Rest in peace my friend
you're in our heart. Benfica
rest in peace freind
your in a better place now with yor beloved daughter
my condolences to wife and adopted daughter
from benfica fan
Rest in peace
All benfica family miss you!!!!
We never forget you!!!!
I never stop crying!!!
Ruhe in Frieden mein Freund, mein heros!!!
Robert Enke was one of the greatest keepers who passed by BENFICA, and we never forget this keeper. In the bad moments of te games e give a big smile for the fans, and all f us Love im...
I want to give my condolences to his family...
And now Robert you can join to your daughter!
Rest in peace, dear friend
R.I.P. Robert Enke
number 1
Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Peace to your soul.
Benfica will miss you.
All benfica fans will never forget you Robert Enke.
Rest in peace. Condolences to his family
Até sempre Enke.
TODOS OS BENFIQUISTAS NUNCA TE ESQUECERÃO.
All Benfica Supporters will miss you
Deep Condolences to his family.
Oh Enke... Porque? Que dor que vai nos nossos corações. Os Benfiquistas choram o teu nome e muito provavelmente o mundo inteiro.
Espero que encontres a paz que precisavas, espero que a tua familia e os teus mais queridos sejam reconfortados o quanto seja possivel. Quero que saibas que praticamente todos os Benfiquistas alimentavam o sonho de ainda te ver regressar.
Descansa em paz Robert Enke, o herdeiro de Preud´Homme.
RIP Robert
Benfica's Supporters will never forget you!
May Your Family Find the Strenght to overcome this difficult time!
até sempre enke os benfiquistas nunca te vão esquecer
slb fans
One of the best Goalkeepers Benfica ever had.
I hope you find the Peace that you seek. You will be in our hearts forever and remembered as a great human being.
Ficarás para sempre no coração dos Benfiquistas.
Robert que finalmente consigas atingir a felicidade que nunca viveste neste mundo
Como sócio do BENFICA que sou, volto-te a contratar e aí na tua nova morada que defendas as nossas cores como tão bem o fizeste por cá
Descansa em paz
Rest in Peace Enke...
A nação Benfiquista está hoje de luto por um dos seus ex-jogadores de melhores qualidades, quer humanas quer desportivas!
Onde quer que estejas, estaremos contigo...
we will never forget you!
Thank you forever Robert ... from all the Benfica supporters, Portugal and soccer fans worldwide.
Thank you noble warrior for all your human qualities,
seconded by your example of professionalism, perseverance and pursuit of
excellence ...
The sporting successes (at Benfica and elsewhere) were so many but they are infinitely small before the longing we feel.
We missed you. You knew it.
That it why we all so wished you came back to Benfica and had been talking about it.
While I am at work, tears pour down my face for you.
One can only imagine the immense pain and sorrow you had been feeling (4 yr daughter) and, selfishly, I pray God protects me of ever coming to know it.
Respect and many condolences to the family.
Hope that everyone around this family conforts them and helps them in years to come and endure Robert's Absence.
Thank you v m Robert Enke.
God permits that you rest forever in peace, finally next to your daughter Lara.
Um abraço sentido a toda a família do ENKE neste momento delicado.
Abraço, REDSTAR do BENFICA
Enke was an excellent man/player
He was very dedicated to Benfica and he was the greatest player in those hard years.
My favourite goal keeper since then
RIP ENKE
Rest in Peace with ur daughter.
by Sport Lisboa e Benfica ultra.
Descansa em Paz, Enke!!!!
Deep condolences to all his friends and family!
Robert, sempre te recordarei com o brilho nos olhos e o sorriso que exibias, e com o qual me disseste que sonhavas regressar ao Benfica!
Espero que agora os tenhas recuperado ao poder voltar a abraçar a tua querida filha Lara.
Rest in peace, Robert! Nummer eins!
RIP ENKE.
JAMAIS SERAS ESQUECIDO
ATE SEMPRE CAMPEAO.
BENFICA
RIP Enke
The fans of Benfica will never forget you.
I'm so sad for the departure of this great player. Benfica fans sure are going to miss you.
One of Benfica's number 1. Forever in our hearts.
Rest in Peace, Enke
Nunca te esqueceremos !
Sempre nos nossos corações !
4EVER ENKE 4EVER SLBENFICA
Benfica fans love you and will terribly miss you...Robert
Hope you will find peace now.
My sincere and deepest condolences to the family.
Excelent person, excelent goalkepper!
RIP
Benfica fan
Todos sonhávamos com o teu regresso a Luz. Até sempre campeão.
Para sempre no nosso coração, para sempre o número 1.
Descansa em paz, Robert.
Os benfiquistas nunca te esquecerão!
Benfica fans love you and will terribly miss you...Robert
Hope you will find peace now.
My sincere and deepest condolences to the family.
Nunca te esqueceremos Robert!
Espero que te reencontres com a tua filha no céu e finalmente encontres a tua paz interna.
Descansa em paz
Benfica fans love you and will terribly miss you...Robert
Hope you will find peace now.
My sincere and deepest condolences to the family.
Ontem não conseguia/queria acreditar ... Hoje ainda não consigo imaginar sequer :'(
Descança em paz na tua nova casa e olha por nós aí de cima .
Até um dia Robert ...
Descansa em paz campeão e paz à tua alma!
Pages
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!