Alexandra Popp’s debut for Borussia Dortmund’s women’s team was anything but ordinary. After netting a brace in a 3‑0 victory, she described the experience as "not normal," a sentiment that captures the surreal atmosphere of a match played in front of 4,572 spectators – a crowd size that would be extraordinary for a third‑tier German fixture.
Popp, already a legend in the sport, has turned a modest stadium into a buzzing arena simply by stepping onto the pitch. The impact of her arrival is evident in the numbers.
Last season Dortmund’s average attendance for women’s games was less than half of what fans saw at the historic Stadion Rote Erde for the recent clash against Arminia Bielefeld. Season‑ticket subscriptions have surged from roughly 600 to 1,700, almost a three‑fold increase, underscoring how a single player can ignite public interest.
The catalyst behind this surge is Popp herself. The former captain of the German national side, who has scored 67 goals for her country, signed for the club she adored as a child.
Her move represents a homecoming that resonates deeply with local supporters, who now wear her jersey in droves. In fact, her shirt is outselling the kit of Serhou Guirassy, the men’s team’s leading scorer for the past two campaigns, highlighting the magnetic pull of her brand. When asked about the electric ambience after her match‑winning performance, Popp said, "It was a very nice atmosphere. We have more than 4,000 people here in the stadium and that is amazing.
I played for so many years in the Bundesliga and some stadiums are not so full like that." Her words reflect both pride in the turnout and a hint of surprise, given that many top‑flight venues in Germany often struggle to fill seats. Dortmund’s women’s side is a relatively new project. The club did not field a women’s team until 2020, at which point Popp was already a three‑time European champion and a six‑time Bundesliga winner. Starting from the seventh tier, the squad has climbed to the third division in a remarkably short period, a trajectory that has been accelerated by Popp’s presence.
On the pitch, however, the level of competition is clearly below what the German star is accustomed to. A well‑placed cross into the box in the first half found Popp’s head, and the resulting goal was as inevitable as watching Erling Haaland dominate a youth side. Her dominance was palpable, yet she remained modest, acknowledging that the quality of play did not match her own standards.
Beyond the football, the transfer was driven by personal motivations. At 35, Popp faced a pivotal decision: stay at Wolfsburg, where she had built a formidable reputation, or move to the club she had cheered for as a child. "I had two choices – to stay in Wolfsburg or switch to my favourite club, Borussia Dortmund.
The decision did not take long," she explained. Known for her stoic demeanor and relentless work ethic, Popp admitted that the reaction to her signing has been overwhelming.
"It is wonderful. You see the heart of the club and the heart of the fans," she said, emphasizing the emotional connection she feels with the community. One of her stated goals is to inspire the next generation. Dortmund’s men’s side is one of Europe’s most supported teams, yet the women’s side had lagged behind.
Popp wants to help close that gap, saying, "I can develop something here. It was a bit embarrassing that the best‑supported men’s club in Europe did not have a women’s team. We are trying to make up for lost time." She also acknowledged that the step down in competition does not make the matches easy. "It was a tough game," she conceded, noting that Arminia Bielefeld put up a stubborn fight and that she endured some physical challenges.
Two opponents were booked for fouling her, and she hinted that more could have been called. In response, she adapted by moving constantly, searching for space and contributing defensively when needed. When Sky Sports asked about her role, Popp laughed, "Everywhere.
No, I have to play on the 10, but I am a player who runs wherever there is space or when we need to defend. I run back, I run forward – I do it all." Her arrival also changes the dynamic for younger teammates who are not used to the intense media scrutiny that follows a world‑class player. "Some of them were a bit nervous," Popp admitted.
Among them is Manuela Zinsberger, the former Bayern Munich and Arsenal goalkeeper, who appears poised for a quieter season. Popp reassured the squad, saying, "We have a normal relationship. The young girls speak with me all the time. They are not scared and that is very important.
Sometimes even in the national team, the younger players are scared to talk to me. The girls here are very open." Even without Popp, Dortmund posted a goal difference of over 100 last season, yet they missed promotion by two points – both dropped in the previous season’s fixture against Arminia.
This time, with Popp leading the charge, the club’s ambitions are crystal clear. "The first goal is the championship," she declared. "We hope to make more steps. We have a dream to grow.
We want to be in the first league as fast as we can." Popp has signed a three‑year contract, and her immediate agenda includes signing autographs, taking selfies, and connecting with fans of all ages. The ultimate aim is to return to the Frauen‑Bundesliga, where she believes she belongs, but for now she is content to be back where her football journey began – at home in Dortmund.