Popp hoping to win one last women's German Cup with Wolfsburg
German football icon Alexandra Popp is hoping to say goodbye to VfL Wolfsburg in the best way possible by winning one more women's German Cup with the club she called home for 14 years. "It would mean a lot to me to take the Cup once more back to Wolfsburg," Popp said ahead of the final against defending champions Bayern Munich on Thursday. Popp is leaving Wolfsburg for Borussia Dortmund who are in contention for promotion into the second division.
Popp was born near Dortmund and is a lifelong fan of the club. To ensure the best possible farewell in Wolfsburg, she pushed herself through rehab once again after tearing a muscle fibre in her calf. "Wolfsburg helped me grow, including as a player," Popp recently said during a media session.
"Fourteen years here, they don't just pass you by without leaving a mark, and you can't just say, 'Okay, now I'm gone. ' I know what I have here at VfL Wolfsburg. " With Popp's departure, Wolfsburg are losing the face of the team.
In recent years, Popp's interviews and opinions have been the most sought-after among the the players. Her genuine nature and charisma have lent profile and lustre to a Wolfsburg side that has at times seemed lacklustre. "She is a club legend, and I think it simply means a great deal to her to be able to reach the Cup final once again in her final year with us," Stina Johannes said.
As a farewell, record Cup winner Popp, who won 11 of her 13 Cup titles with Wolfsburg, would love nothing more than to claim her 14th trophy. "That would be a very, very nice and fitting way to end my career," said Popp, who also won seven league titles and two Champions League trophies with Wolfsburg.