Alexandra Popp described her first appearance for Borussia Dortmund’s women’s team as "not normal," and she meant it. The German striker found the net twice, helping her side secure a comfortable 3-0 victory, but what truly stood out was the atmosphere: a crowd of 4,572 spectators packed into the modest Stadion Rote Erde, a figure that would have seemed extraordinary just a few years ago in the club’s third‑tier campaign. Popp is already a phenomenon in Dortmund.
Last season the women’s side averaged just under half the attendance that was recorded for this match, and season‑ticket sales have exploded from roughly 600 to 1,700 since her arrival. The surge is directly linked to the arrival of the former Germany captain, a player who has already amassed 67 goals for the national team and boasts a résumé that includes three UEFA Women’s Champions League titles and six Bundesliga crowns.
For Popp, the move was a childhood dream fulfilled: she grew up cheering for Borussia Dortmund, and now she wears the black and yellow badge on the pitch. Her jersey has become a hot‑seller, outselling even the shirt of Serhou Guirassy, the men’s team’s leading scorer for the past two seasons. Fans line up for autographs, selfies, and any chance to interact with the 35‑year‑old star, who says the atmosphere at the Rote Erde feels "amazing" compared with many of the larger, emptier stadiums she has played in during her long Bundesliga career.
The club’s women’s program is still in its infancy. Dortmund did not field a women’s side until 2020, at which point Popp was already a three‑time European champion and a seasoned veteran of top‑flight football. Starting from the seventh tier, the team has climbed to the third division in a remarkably short period, but the level of play is still below the standard Popp is accustomed to. When she rose to meet a cross with a powerful header in the first half, the result was inevitable – she dominated the opposition much as a player of Erling Haaland’s calibre would against a youth side.
Beyond the on‑field spectacle, Popp’s decision was driven by emotion as much as ambition. She explains that she faced a simple choice: stay at Wolfsburg, where she had been a key figure, or move to the club she adored as a child. "The decision didn’t take long," she says. Her stoic reputation – a blend of relentless drive and quiet confidence – has been tested by the overwhelming response from supporters.
"It is wonderful. You see the heart of the club and the heart of the fans," she remarks. One of Popp’s motivations is the chance to inspire a new generation of players. Dortmund’s men’s team enjoys global fame, yet the women’s side had been a glaring omission until recently.
By joining, Popp hopes to accelerate the development of the squad and give young talents a role model who knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. "I can develop something here," she says, acknowledging that the club is trying to make up for lost time.
The match against Arminia Bielefeld proved that the step up would not be without challenges. The visitors put up a gritty resistance, and Popp endured some robust defending.
Two Arminia players received bookings for fouls on her, and she admits that more could have been called. She responded by roaming across the pitch, seeking space wherever she could find it. When Sky Sports asked which position she was playing, she laughed, "Everywhere.
I’m a number 10, but I run back to defend if we need to." Her presence also changes the dynamic for the younger teammates, many of whom are unaccustomed to the intense media scrutiny that follows a player of Popp’s stature. Some admitted feeling nervous at first, but Popp emphasizes that the squad has settled into a normal, supportive relationship. "The young girls talk to me all the time. They’re not scared, and that’s very important," she says, noting that even in the senior national team some younger players can be intimidated by her reputation.
Even without Popp, Dortmund posted an impressive goal difference of over 100 last season, yet they fell short of promotion by two points – both lost in a crucial fixture against Arminia in April. This season, with Popp leading the line, the ambition is crystal clear: win the league and secure promotion to the Frauen‑Bundesliga as quickly as possible.
"The championship is the first goal," she declares. "We want to grow, we want to be in the first league as fast as we can." Popp has signed a three‑year contract, indicating a long‑term commitment to the project.
In the meantime, she is already enjoying the simple pleasures of being back home: signing autographs, posing for selfies, and interacting with fans of every age. The ultimate aim is to guide Dortmund back to the top tier, where a player of her calibre belongs, but for now the German star is content to be playing where her heart has always been – in Dortmund.