Alexandra Popp, a name that has long been synonymous with German women’s football, recently stepped onto the pitch for Borussia Dortmund’s women’s side and immediately made a statement: two goals in a 3‑0 victory. While the scoreline itself was unsurprising for a player of her calibre, the atmosphere surrounding the match was anything but ordinary. A modest crowd of 4,572 spectators filled the historic Stadion Rote Erde – a figure that dwarfs the typical attendance numbers for Germany’s third‑tier women’s league and even exceeds the average turnout for Dortmund’s men’s matches last season, which hovered at less than half that amount.
This surge in interest is directly linked to Popp’s arrival, and the club’s ticket sales have reflected that enthusiasm, climbing from roughly 600 season‑ticket holders to about 1,700 in a matter of months. The excitement surrounding Popp’s debut is rooted in a personal narrative as much as a sporting one. The former captain of the German national team, who has netted 67 goals for her country, grew up idolising Borussia Dortmund.
This summer, she turned that childhood dream into reality by signing for the club she has always loved. Her return to Dortmund is more than a transfer; it is a homecoming that has captured the imagination of supporters across the city and beyond. The player’s jersey has become a ubiquitous sight in local shops and on the streets, outselling even the kit of Serhou Guirassy, the men’s team’s leading scorer for the past two seasons.
Such commercial success underscores the magnetic pull Popp has on both existing fans and newcomers to the women’s game. After the match, Popp reflected on the electric atmosphere, noting, “It was a very nice atmosphere. We have more than 4,000 people here in the stadium and that is amazing.
I played for many years in the Bundesliga and some stadiums are not so full like that.” Her words highlight a broader shift in the perception of women’s football in Dortmund. Until 2020, the club did not even field a women’s side. At that time, Popp was already a three‑time European champion and a six‑time Bundesliga winner. Starting from the seventh tier when the team was founded, Dortmund’s women have climbed to the third tier, a rapid ascent that mirrors Popp’s own meteoric rise in the sport.
On the pitch, however, the quality of play was clearly a step below what Popp is accustomed to. When a cross was delivered into the penalty area in the first half, she rose above the defense and headed the ball into the net with a certainty that reminded observers of watching a world‑class striker like Erling Haaland dominate a youth match.
The ease with which she scored underscored the gap between her experience and the current level of competition, yet it also served as a powerful visual cue of what she can bring to the squad. Beyond the football itself, Popp’s move was driven by personal motivations that go deeper than the desire for high‑level competition. At 35, she faced a pivotal career decision: remain with Wolfsburg, where she had built a legacy, or join her beloved Borussia Dortmund. “I had two choices,” she explained.
“To stay in Wolfsburg or switch to my favourite club as a kid, Borussia Dortmund. The decision did not take long.” 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. The presence of a player of her stature also serves a strategic purpose: it provides a role model for younger teammates and signals the club’s commitment to catching up with the rest of Europe, where top men’s clubs have long maintained strong women’s programs.
Popp is keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Despite her dominance, she described the match against Arminia Bielefeld as “tough,” noting the physicality of the opposition and the fouls she endured. Two Arminia players received bookings for aggressive challenges, and she suggested that more could have been called.
In response, Popp adapted her game, moving fluidly across the field to find space and create opportunities, a testament to her versatility and football intelligence. Her influence extends beyond tactics; it reshapes the daily reality for her teammates, many of whom have never experienced the intense media scrutiny that follows a star of Popp’s magnitude. “Some of them were a bit nervous,” she observed, referring to the younger players adjusting to cameras and journalists gathering at the modest Rote Erde venue, which sits adjacent to the massive Signal‑Iduna Park that hosts the men’s side.
Among those adapting is Manuela Zinsberger, a former Bayern Munich and Arsenal goalkeeper, who appears poised for a quieter season after the opening match. Popp emphasizes that the relationship with her younger colleagues remains informal and supportive. “We have a normal relationship,” she affirmed. “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 young girls are scared to tell me something. The girls here are very open.” This openness fosters a nurturing environment that could accelerate the development of Dortmund’s women’s squad. Statistically, Dortmund’s women have already demonstrated dominance in the third tier, posting a goal difference exceeding 100 points last season.
Yet, despite such superiority, they missed promotion by a narrow two‑point margin, with both points lost in a crucial fixture against Arminia in April. With Popp now in the squad, the club’s ambitions have become crystal clear: they aim to secure the championship and achieve promotion as quickly as possible. “The first goal is the championship,” she declared. “I hope that we can make more steps.
We have a dream to grow. We want to be in the first league as fast as we can.” Looking ahead, Popp has signed a three‑year contract, signaling a long‑term commitment to the project.
Her ultimate objective is to guide Dortmund back to the Frauen‑Bundesliga, the top tier where she believes she belongs. In the meantime, she is already enjoying the simple pleasures of being back home: signing autographs, posing for selfies, and engaging with fans of all ages who have flocked to the stadium to catch a glimpse of their new heroine. In summary, Alexandra Popp’s transition to Borussia Dortmund’s women’s team is more than a headline transfer; it is a cultural milestone for the club and a catalyst for the growth of women’s football in the region. Her presence has sparked a surge in attendance, boosted merchandise sales, and provided a tangible benchmark of excellence for her teammates.
As Dortmund pushes for promotion, Popp’s experience, leadership, and undeniable talent will be pivotal in turning the club’s lofty aspirations into reality, ensuring that the once‑nonexistent women’s side becomes a formidable force in German football.