32 Facts About Alexandra Popp

Alexandra Popp is widely considered to be one of the most legendary and successful German footballers of all time.

Alexandra Popp attended Gesamtschule Berger Feld in Gelsenkirchen, one of four facilities certified as "elite schools of football" by the German Football Association.

Alexandra Popp was the school's sole female pupil and could only attend courtesy of a special permit.

Alexandra Popp studied and trained with junior players of the German men's Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04.

Alexandra Popp left school after the 12th grade with a Fachabitur diploma.

Alexandra Popp started her career at FC Silschede, playing there in mixed-gender teams until she reached the age limit of 14.

Alexandra Popp had been approached by French champions Olympique Lyonnais at the time, but chose Duisburg.

Alexandra Popp was awarded the 2009 Fritz Walter medal in silver as the year's second best female junior player.

Alexandra Popp scored an 89th-minute winning goal to secure a dramatic title for Die Wolfinnen, and the game set a new Bundesliga record with 12,464 spectators in attendance.

Alexandra Popp has scored 147 goals in over 300 games for the club, winning seven league titles, two UEFA Women's Champions Leagues and 11 German Cup trophies.

In November 2024, Alexandra Popp extended her contract at Wolfsburg up to June 2026.

At the 2008 UEFA U-17 Women's Championship, Alexandra Popp won her first international title with Germany, scoring the team's second goal in the final.

In February 2010, Alexandra Popp made her debut for Germany's senior national team in a friendly match against North Korea.

Alexandra Popp returned to junior competition for the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup on home soil.

Alexandra Popp won the title and became the tournament's best player and top goalscorer.

Alexandra Popp scored in every game that Germany played and with ten goals, she holds the scoring record for that tournament.

Alexandra Popp was then called up for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Alexandra Popp played in all four games as a substitute, but the Germans were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Japan.

Alexandra Popp started in four of the team's seven games, scoring once.

Alexandra Popp was called up again for the 2016 Summer Olympics, where Germany won the gold medal.

Alexandra Popp received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, Germany's highest sports honour, for her performance, along with the rest of the German team.

Alexandra Popp missed the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 tournament due to a meniscus and lateral ligament injury.

In February 2019, Alexandra Popp was named the new captain of the German women's national team.

Alexandra Popp captained the German squad at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Alexandra Popp played every minute of the group stage and scored a header against South Africa.

Alexandra Popp made her 100th appearance for Germany on 22 June 2019, against Nigeria in the Round of 16, where she scored the opening goal.

Alexandra Popp had an unbelievable impact at Euro 2022, scoring six goals in five matches and leading her side to the final.

Alexandra Popp scored both of Germany's goals in their semi-final win against France and became only the second player to score in four consecutive matches at a Women's Euros.

On 3 July 2024, Alexandra Popp was called up to the Germany squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

On 30 September 2024, Alexandra Popp announced her retirement from international football, with her last game being played on 28 October.

Alexandra Popp played at four World Cups and one European Championship, and won two Olympic medals and three Algarve Cups with Germany.

Individually, Alexandra Popp's performances saw her chosen as Women's National Team Player of the Year in 2012 and 2022, and she is a three-time Germany Women's Footballer of the Year, winning the award in 2014,2016 and 2023.