Thousands of fans gathered at Hannover 96's ground to pay their last respects to the club's goalkeeper Robert Enke.
Fans flocked to the club's AWD Arena for what was described as one of the country's biggest memorials in decades.
National team captain Michael Ballack, who had known Enke since the age of 13, laid a wreath in the centre of the pitch alongside the goalkeeper's former team-mate Per Mertesacker.
Enke's wife and parents attended the emotional ceremony.
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff and coach Joachim Loew were joined by former coach Jurgen Klinsmann to pay their tributes at the coffin of the keeper who was set to feature for his country in the 2010 World Cup.
The German national side attended the service. They will assemble in Dusseldorf ahead of a friendly against Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
Hundreds of candles and other tributes were also left outside Hannover's stadium.
Enke was later buried in a private funeral service next to his daughter who died from a heart infection.
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