True Talk | Alexandra Popp joins BVB Dortmund this summer ❤️⚽️ DFB Frauen Mannschaft Germany Women

Alexandra Popp, we all now know where you're headed—namely, Borussia Dortmund. But much more important right now is the question regarding your muscle fiber tear. How are you doing, where are you at, will we ever see you in the VfL jersey again? I hope they see me again. I hope so for myself, to be honest. But right now, it looks quite good. Rehabilitation is going very well, according to plan. The Wade is doing well so far. And therefore, we hope that at least the last two games I will be back on the field. Fourteen years is a long time—long enough for you to have worn this jersey here in Wolfsburg. What was different 14 years ago? Why don't you take us along, on a little trip through time? Yes, what was different? For example, we didn't even have the AOK Stadium yet—it didn't exist there at that time. We had our training cabins, which were more of a felt, I would almost say, sports hall character. Also, it wasn't quite as professional yet as it is now. If we now take a slightly more structural approach. At the same time, however, an enormous number of people have also changed, who have walked many paths with me. I have had the opportunity to experience very, very many different fellow players. The coaching team also changed from time to time, which has changed. And also the physio department having some comings and goings. Also, somehow in every department, people came and went, people who contributed to the success over these 14 years. or the successes over the 14 years have also shaped and accompanied them to some extent. The good thing is that over the past 14 years, development has been on an upward trajectory. In the development of infrastructure, in the development of football itself but also, seen more generally, in the development of women's football. And I believe that is the most important thing. You yourself have also continued to develop. You also said earlier at the press conference that it's nice that you had the opportunity to be here. To further develop your personality. How are you different today from what you were 14 years ago? I would claim that I've grown up, even though I still have Schalke on my back. Of course, I am clearer in my communication. Also if I look at my interviews from 14 years ago and today, Then it's already a different matter, I would say. But even aside from the field, I've simply grown up, become more mature in making decisions, In everyday matters. Do you do something? Yes, no. I used to do it simply back then. Now one might just reconsider whether it really makes sense or not to do certain things right now. Yes, and on the field anyway. I'd say it's still a young talent, though I suppose at 21 one isn't really a talent anymore. To struggle to integrate or adapt into an established Bundesliga, former national team player, Captain, I believe, speaks for herself. If you had the chance to tell your younger self, who was 14 years younger than you are now, one more time, What would you say to her right now, standing here today? Have fun. It hasn't always been easy, to say the least—just think of injuries, I suppose. Yes, that's right, that's right. Yes, it wasn't always easy when it came to the injuries. But somehow they have also contributed to a part of the development. Of course, one can also develop without getting hurt—no question about it. But I believe this again mentally growing, this rising again, becoming stronger, but even then with other injuries, perhaps even minor ones or minor ailments, such as the muscle fiber tear right now, for example. They figured it out quickly, huh? Yes, I knew for sure something was broken there, but on the other hand, I was also very relaxed. because in the end I can't change it anyway. You can't trick the muscle first of all, but you also can't trick the body. There's so much happening inside the body that at the end, you're clearly left wondering why this just happened. But it happened. And then blowing the trumpet of gloom doesn't make things better and doesn't get you anywhere either. but yes, keep going and work. Now you have decided that this body, which has already endured numerous injuries throughout its career, is supposed to play for Borussia Dortmund in the upcoming season. The Dortmund team has high ambitions and wants to march straight into the Bundesliga. They are currently still playing in the third league, the Regionalliga. Many people in my circle have also said, why is Alexandra Pop doing this to herself? Because she actually feels like it. I'm the kind of person who says either completely or not at all. I could have also said that in two years, BVB will be in the first league. Now I can settle into the ready-made nest, pull the jersey over my head, and hooray—I've finally worn it. But that is not me, and it is also not the intention of a club like Borussia Dortmund. Accordingly, I have deliberately chosen to say now, either entirely or not at all. And what I find exciting is that I can still develop something further. And that's a completely different matter altogether. I have now had the privilege for 14 years, or rather, if one also counts Duisburg, for 20 years, to play in teams that have always played among the top 3 and have always competed for titles. At the highest level, and now let's take two steps down and say, But now I can explain it much more clearly; I found it very, very exciting. And accordingly, I have decided to take this path as well. and at the same time, of course, also for my heart club, since I've been a fan since childhood. You are indeed an inspiration to many people and often speak openly about what you truly think. Would it then also be conceivable that you might enter politics one day? Oh no, absolutely not. That's a clear statement. I remember times when the media frenzy was really too much for you as well. Especially at the 2022 European Championship in England. How do you look back on that time? And has that become a bit better, so that you can also be a bit more of a private individual? Well, it's not gotten any better now, but I've found my way of dealing with it, let's put it that way. That was also such a procedure one must go through, after all. Also going from feeling zero to a thousand. I'm now roughly at 500. The thousand is on top. So I've found my way with it. You had to do that too. That's also clear, because otherwise you'd go crazy. But that is perfectly fine too. But on the other hand, that's also the beautiful aspect, that one actually receives so much recognition from the people in the cities. No matter where you're traveling. That is precisely what makes the development of women's football so special, and that is exactly what's beautiful about it. I believe the Dortmund jersey with the name "Pop" printed on the back will be the best-selling item next season. We'll leave it as a surprise. Thank you. Certainly.