Katja Burkard bids farewell to Christoph Daum with a vow.
The demise of football icon Christoph Daum isn't just shaking up the sports realm. RTL presenter Katja Burkard shared a profound bond with the ex-coach. She pays her respects with a pledge.
Katja Burkard, the RTL presenter, was informed about Christoph Daum's demise on Saturday from his wife Angelika, as she shared with the Cologne-based broadcaster. "We'll miss you greatly, dear Christoph. I know how much you cherished life and fought with superhuman determination till the very end. I wish you a safe voyage now," Burkard penned down on Instagram, alongside a picture of the two of them.
The "Punkt 12" host and the football legend had been friends for two decades, ever since their children were born. "A genuine family bond that endured both triumphs and tribulations," Burkard remarked in her Instagram post, recalling "many hilarious evenings and profound conversations that I'll forever cherish" with Daum.
Last October, Daum, convinced he could conquer cancer, celebrated his 70th birthday in a Cologne cinema. Katja Burkard was among the attendees. She offered an extraordinary gift for his landmark birthday: Christoph Daum received an annual subscription to her homemade chicken soup. "When people ask me why I look so vivacious, I can only say: Katja's chicken soup," Daum stated in an RTL interview at the time.
He was able to avail his gastronomic gift before his demise, which Burkard is grateful for, as she mentioned in her Instagram post. "I'm pleased that my chicken soup subscription proved beneficial for your 70th, that we had a personal farewell, and that our families will remain connected."
"A friend whose absence will be felt"
Katja Burkard bid goodbye to Christoph Daum with intensely personal words: "You were a multifaceted, intelligent person with an abundance of interests, experiences, and a witty, charming personality. Yes, you were polarizing too, because of your intense passion and extraordinary nature. For me, you were a friend whose absence will be felt." In the RTL interview, she elaborated: "For me, Christoph was an engaging conversationalist because he had amassed a wealth of life experiences, both good and bad. And most importantly, he always lived: If you fall, it's alright - but you have to get back up again."
She is elated that Daum exited in the company of his "wonderful family," who "surrounded him with love and bid him farewell." Nothing could have been better, the presenter said. She bestows her friend Christoph with one final promise to accompany him in his journey: "I'll assist with a round of mowing your beloved lawn."
Upon hearing of Christoph Daum's passing, Katja Burkard expressed her grief, stating, "The void left by your departure will be immense." She further acknowledged, "Your spirit and influence will continue to inspire us, even as we face the reality of Death."
