She’s one of the most recognisable faces in football.
Even when in disguise.
A superstar, leader, and role model
and a down-to-earth entertainer.
Popp’s popularity has mirrored the rapid rise of the women’s game in Germany and Europe.
The dream hasn’t always gone to script.
This is a story of success, setbacks and comebacks.
So how did Alex Popp overcome all the obstacles to become the face of German football
an idol to thousands
and the beloved leader of a Germany team aiming to change the game?
Popp’s stomping ground in her early years was in the football-mad Ruhrgebiet, at Gevelsberg-Silschede.
Here, she played in boys’ teams until she was 14.
The Ruhrgebiet is home to one of Germany’s fiercest football derbies,
and Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion was the perfect introduction to a game
that would shape Popp’s future.
Standing together with 80,000 other fans,
Popp could never have even dreamt of standing in her idols’ boots one day.
Popp’s professional journey started at FFC Recklinghausen.
And she started being called up to Germany’s youth teams.
She also joined a school run by Schalke, the enemy of her beloved Dortmund.
She was the only girl to be part of the school’s football programme.
Schalke developed their best youth products here.
Popp trained with the likes of Joel Matip and Ralf Fährmann,
which gave her a crucial edge when playing in the girls teams.
Alongside the schooling change, Popp also earned a big move to FCR Duisburg in 2008,
a powerhouse of German football at the time.
World Cup winners such as Inka Grings, Simone Laudehr and Annike Krahn were in the s quad.
But a young Popp was unphased.
In her first season with Duisburg, Popp won the Champions League and the German Cup.
A sign of things to come in her club career.
And in 2010, Popp had the world at her feet
after truly bursting on the international scene as a 19-year-old.
This was the first time Kick-Off met the upcoming superstar Alex Popp.
The striker was hot property, fresh from winning the U20 World Cup with Germany,
where she scored 10 goals in 6 games and was named Player of the Tournament.
With Inka Grings starring for both Duisburg and Germany,
Popp had the perfect teacher in the art of goalscoring.
And the young newcomer made an almost immediate impression.
Another key figure - current Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg,
who was then training Popp at Duisburg.
With four Euros trophies and 6 Bundesliga titles as a player, she was another ideal tutor.
She helped develop Popp’s work ethic and defensive prowess.
Playing her at left-back when she first arrived.
But Popp only had eyes on playing up front.
And she gradually made the position her own at Duisburg, before her next big move.
In 2012, Wolfsburg signed Popp as they were shaking up women’s football.
Since then, they’ve won 7 Bundesliga titles, 9 German Cups, and 2 Champions League trophies.
Popp has notched up 152 goals in just under 300 games for the club.
Popp had a dream start to her Wolfsburg career, winning the treble in her very first season.
In the Champions League final against Lyon,
Popp’s selflessness and commitment was on show for all to see.
Despite carrying a ligament injury, Popp put her body on the line.
Lyon came in as heavy favourites, but a Martina Müller goal was enough to seal a 1-0 victory.
At the age of 22, Popp had won it all in club football.
And on the international scene, Popp’s star was also rising, as Germany searched for a new number 9.
Birgit Prinz was and remains Germany's greatest ever goalscorer.
And Popp was ready to step up when she retired in 2011.
But while Popp was cleaning up trophies for Wolfsburg,
injuries were derailing her international career.
She missed both the 2013 and 2017 Euros,
with the latter injury seeing her question her future in the game.
Of course, there was a lot of success amongst the injuries.
As Popp first cemented her place as one of Germany’s leading players, won Gold at the 2016 Olympics,
and then captained her country at the 2019 World Cup in France.
And as Euro 2022 rolled around there was a feeling of redemption in the air,
with Popp determined to make up for lost time.
The striker's history of injuries touched the public’s hearts ahead of the tournament
and coincided with an explosion of interest in the women’s game.
When she came off the bench to score against Denmark in the opening group match,
a flood of emotions poured out.
Popp went on to score against Spain, Finland, Austria,
and twice against France in the semi-finals.
The love for Popp had reached incredible heights.
and a final showdown against England, at Wembley in front of 87,000 fans, was calling.
Until…
Popp didn’t feel 100% after an injury in shooting practice.
and pulled herself out of the starting lineup.
With their talisman only able to direct from the sidelines, Germany lost 2-1 in extra-time.
Another injury. Another heartache.
In typical Popp style, the setbacks have only hardened her resolve.
At 32, she’s still got time to inspire her team to international glory.
Her work rate, football IQ, and easy-going personality have also made her an idol for thousands across Germany.
Popp may only have one or two more chances at international success,
so the 2023 World Cup is firmly in her sights.
And after football, when she’s hung up her boots and said goodbye to an already trophy-laden career?
Wherever she ends up, Popp’s name in sealed in the history books,
as a world-class footballer, an inspirational leader,
and a perfect role model who's helped push women’s football forward.