German Midfielder Melanie Leupolz Retires After Decorated Career

Melanie Leupolz, the accomplished German midfielder, has retired from professional football at the age of 31, concluding a distinguished career spanning top clubs such as SC Freiburg, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. Her career highlights include two Bundesliga titles with Bayern, four consecutive English league titles with Chelsea, and significant international achievements including the 2016 European Championship and Olympic gold medal. Leupolz's final season was marred by knee injuries, including partial MCL tears, which contributed to her decision to retire. She announced her retirement through a heartfelt video message, expressing gratitude for her career and the memories created. Leupolz also balanced motherhood, having welcomed her son in 2022, while continuing to perform at the highest levels until her retirement. Tributes from teammates and the football community have praised her on and off the pitch contributions, marking the end of an era in women's football.