Germany captain Alexandra Popp is set to chase Women’s World Cup glory in 2023, hoping to cap off a remarkable career marred by injury setbacks. Popp, a star in German sport, has won numerous prizes at the club level, including two Champions Leagues with Wolfsburg. However, her international career has often been plagued by injuries, forcing her to miss key tournaments.
Popp missed the 2013 European Championship campaign due to an ankle injury, followed by a knee issue that kept her out of the Euro 2017. In a devastating blow, she was ruled out of the warm-up ahead of the Euro 2022 final against England, despite scoring in every one of Germany’s matches leading up to that point.
Despite the setbacks, Popp has managed to score an impressive 62 goals in 128 appearances for Germany, establishing herself as one of the country’s premier footballers. Now, as Germany enters the FIFA Women’s World Cup in a group with Colombia, Morocco, and South Korea, they are considered strong contenders for the title.
Popp’s journey in football has been unconventional, marked by her willingness to do things differently. Despite being a fan of Borussia Dortmund, she attended the prestigious Gesamtschule Berger Feld in Gelsenkirchen, the home of their arch-rivals Schalke. Popp was the only female pupil at the school and required a special permit to attend. Notable footballers such as Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, Julian Draxler, and Joel Matip graduated from the same institution.
In addition to her football education, Popp completed a one-year physiotherapy internship and a three-year zookeeping apprenticeship. Her professional career began in 2008 when she made her Bundesliga debut with Duisburg. In her first season, she won the UEFA Women’s Cup. Popp later joined Wolfsburg in 2012, where she achieved a memorable treble of league, cup, and Champions League titles in her debut year. She repeated this feat the following season, with Popp scoring in the Champions League final.
Popp’s influence extends beyond the pitch. She is not only one of Germany’s most well-known and popular athletes but also serves as a spokesperson for women’s football. Popp has used her platform to call out football administrators for failing to secure broadcasting rights for the World Cup in Germany, emphasizing the importance of promoting up-and-coming talent. She has also addressed controversial discussions surrounding gender-based disparities in World Cup bonuses, expressing her satisfaction with the current arrangements and stressing the need for unity and fairness.
As Germany’s men’s team experiences a period of decline, the women’s team has an opportunity to restore the country’s footballing pride. With Popp at the forefront, Germany hopes to clinch a long-awaited Women’s World Cup title. However, her ability to stay fit and avoid further injury will be crucial to her team’s success.
