Women's Euros - Comeback Captain: How Alexandra Popp defied the odds for a remarkable return to German football

Being away from football for a year isn’t easy.

And when Germany captain Alex Popp injured her knee in April 2021, she never thought her spot at the 2022 UEFA Women's Championships could be threatened.

After nine months of rehabilitation, she stepped back onto the pitch for a friendly with her club Wolfsburg in January 2022 only to provoke the injury further and end up back in surgery.

But the two-time German footballer of the year is no stranger to setbacks and, although a challenge, knew that she could prevail.

“The main goal during my recovery was always the European Championship,” she told DW.

“Whenever I faced a setback, that's what I was thinking about, to dust myself off and get back to work.”

And that’s exactly what she did.

Returning to club football late on in the season, she helped push Wolfsburg to domestic success and in doing so secured her spot in Germany’s squad for this summer's Euros.

And after missing the last two Euros through injury, the legendary forward had a dream debut in the tournament by scoring in the 4-0 win against Denmark.

Popp to the top

You could argue that Popp was destined for football greatness when at the age of 17 she joined elite football school Berge Feld.

In doing so she made history as the school’s only female pupil, and followed a long list of star studded alumni from Mesut Ozil to Manuel Neuer.

Training with Schalke 04’s youth men’s side led her to sign a contract with FCR 2001 Duisburg, all whilst she was excelling at national youth level and impressing those at the top of Germany’s senior set up.

Watching Popp win the U17 Women’s Championship and U20 World Cup, fans and coaches alike had the feeling that she’d one day fill the gap that former Germany captain Birgit Prinz would inevitably leave upon retirement.

Funnily enough, they were right.

Leading by example

The role of a captain is to lead by example - a responsibility that comes naturally to the 31-year-old.

Recognised by teammates as a stern captain that isn’t afraid to speak her mind, Popp’s influence is imperative to the success of her country and even whilst sidelined she made sure to make her presence known.

“She's been with us a couple of times (while injured) and gave us plenty of input,” said Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.

“She's remained part of the team leadership, so in that sense, Poppy's never been fully gone.”

And her impact goes beyond pitchside tactics.

The Olympic gold medallist has spent her career championing women’s football, calling for more player support and structure within her home country.

“We still have a lot of room for improvement in German women's football,” she told Volkswagen in a recent interview.

She went on to explain the improvements she’d witnessed at Wolfsburg over the past ten years.

Although better framework conditions have been created within the club, Popp believes there’s still potential for more to be done.

“Everything can be done more professionally,” she said.

“In the long run it will also be difficult to keep up financially when you see what is being invested in the English leagues.”

“We have to see how we can take women's football to the next level. But it can't just be about the money either, otherwise football loses its values.”

Having already expressed an interest in working for the DFB once her playing days are over, Alex Popp’s commitment to the women’s game in Germany will certainly be felt for years to come.

Sights set on European success

Having missed the European Championships in 2017 through injury, Popp is more than ready to make up for lost time this summer.

With countless domestic honours to her name as well as an Olympic gold from Rio 2016, it feels only right that the forward should lift a major trophy at national level.

Popp made her senior debut in 2010 meaning she was absent from Germany's dominating golden era which saw her national side claim two World Cup’s as well as five European Championships between 1995 and 2009.

The 31 year-old was even missing from Germany’s European Championship winning setup in 2013, yet again due to another injury, making this summer her first-ever senior European Championship.

Despite this, experience isn’t something she lacks.

The two-time Player of the Year brings stability to a youthful German side, as well as a versatile power going forward that will prowl on the weaknesses of group stage opponents Spain, Denmark and Finland.

Not only does Popp know how to control a game, she knows how to win one.

This summer is her best chance yet to show the world how she does just that - and there’s no doubt that she’ll grasp the opportunity with both hands.