News (engl.)

She is one of the best footballers in the world, has shaped the women’s game and is a role model for millions. She has reached incredible heights both on and off the field as Germany captain. She will now end her international career in the place where it all began on 17th February 2010. On 28th October of this year, Alexandra Popp will return to the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg to take to the pitch in Germany colours for a 145th and final time.

“For a combined 18 years, nearly 14 and a half of those with the senior team, I had the fortune and privilege of wearing the kit of the Germany national team,” the 33-year-old expressed on Monday as she told of her decision to retire from international duty. “I always said that I would feel it in my gut when it was time to make this decision and I have that feeling now. After an extended period of emotion-filled deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that with heavy heart I will end my national career. The fire in me which sparked 18 years ago and has only burned brighter year on year is now almost out. It was always important for me that I could make this decision myself. I did not want my body, which is a ticking time bomb, nor anyone else to decide for me. The right time to end things is before the fire in me is completely out, otherwise it would be too late.”

2010 U20 World Cup: champion, player of the tournament and top scorer

Before making the step up to the women’s senior national side, Popp played at various youth levels for Germany and enjoyed great success too. One of the highlights was winning the 2008 European U17 Championship in Switzerland. A glimpse of what was to come then arrived in 2010, when Popp was part of the Germany team that won the U20 World Cup in her own country. She netted in every game at the tournament, recording ten goals in total, which earned her the “Golden Shoe” for finishing as top scorer as well as the “Golden Ball,” award by FIFA to the tournament’s best player.

Even before that, however, she had celebrated her senior debut. On 17th February 2010 against North Korea, Popp’s full international career began and so too an era. The striker took part in four World Cups, including two as captain, namely in 2019 in France and in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. Her international success includes three Algarve Cup titles in 2012, 2014 and 2020, as well as leading her nation to the final of the 2022 European Championship in England where they faced the hosts.

The highlight of her great career, however, came at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, when Popp and Germany won the Gold Medal after defeating Sweden 2-1 at the Maracana. She also ends her career following further medal success after securing Bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Alex Popp has scored a total of 67 goals at national level – only Heidi Mohr and Birgit Prinz have more for Germany’s women. In 2012 and 2022, Popp was named as national team player of the year, and in 2014, 2016 and 2023 she was acknowledged as German footballer of the year.

Wück: “Popp has left a huge mark on the national team”

National team head coach Christian Wück: “Alex Popp has been the face of the Germany women’s national side for nearly one-and-a-half decades. She was an essential player who reached incredible heights both on and off the field due to her attitude, mentality, personality and, of course, her footballing ability. Others will now have to fill in for her and take over the leadership responsibilities. I would have enjoyed working with her in the national team, but knew just shortly after the Olympics where her thinking was at. She has left a huge mark on the national team and for that she deserves the upmost respect.”

DFB sporting director Nia Künzer: “Alex has always been a role model for commitment, passion and desire and has always given everything for her team. With her style of play, she has defied obstacles and set new benchmarks with her heading ability and threat in front of goal, among other things. On top of that, she is a person of strong mind and has never shied away from talking openly about topics and making her position on matters clear. She can reflect on what has been an incredibly impressive international career.

Neuendorf: “An exceptional player”

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf: “For more than 14 years and throughout 144 international appearances, Alexandra Popp has been one of the biggest role models and most beloved figures in German football. In sporting terms, she was and is an exceptional player. Thanks to her open and honest manner as well as her clear beliefs, she has also been an outstanding ambassador for the national side. She encompasses and has encompassed everything that women’s football stands for, namely quality, the joy of playing and togetherness. We are pleased that the game in Duisburg gives us the chance to give Alexandra Popp the send-off from the national team that she deserves, and where it all began for her too.”

DFB vice president for women’s and girl’s football, Sabine Mammitzsch: “Alexandra Popp is in no small part to thank for the surge in popularity of women’s and girl’s football in Germany. When she herself began a career as a footballer, there were not many female role models to whom she could look. Women’s football is in the spotlight much more these days and the players have now become stars with great influence for girls and for boys too. Their names are on the backs of kits bought by both male and female fans, in particular the name Popp, because they want to play like ‘Poppi.’ This progression took another step forward with the European Championship in England in 2022, also in large part thanks to Alexandra Popp, who catches the eye with her passion, desire and incredible goals. She leaves behind a great and truly deserved legacy with the national team.”