From the Pitch to Motherhood: Melanie Leupolz

Melanie Leupolz, born on 14th April 1994, is a German midfielder who recently announced her retirement from football after an incredibly successful career. Throughout her career, she played for a range of clubs in the topflight, including SC Freiburg, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, competing in the Frauen-Bundesliga, the WSL, and Liga F. On the international stage, she represented Germany from the U17s all the way to the senior team, before retiring from international football in September 2023. 

📸 via www.dw.com

Leupolz enjoyed significant success for both club and country: with Bayern Munich, she won the Bundesliga twice, and during her time at Chelsea, she won the WSL title four times, the FA Cup three times, the League Cup once, and the Community Shield once. Internationally, her achievements include winning the U20 World Cup with Germany, the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2013, the Algarve Cup in 2014, and an Olympic gold medal in 2016. 

Beyond the pitch, one of Melanie’s proudest moments came in October 2022, when she became a mother after giving birth to her son. This life-changing event marked a new chapter in both her personal life and professional career. Chelsea football club, the German Football Association, and her coaches provided immense support, ensuring she could prioritise her health and well-being throughout her pregnancy. This support not only allowed her to safely recover physically but also gave her the confidence to embrace motherhood while continuing her professional career. Thanks to the strong network around her, Melanie was able to return to Chelsea training in March 2023 and later re-join the German national team, proving that motherhood does not have to end a professional sporting career. 

Melanie has expressed deep gratitude for the love and support she received while navigating life as both a footballer and a mother. She now advocates for greater support for women in sport who want to take this step, encouraging more female athletes to feel empowered to balance motherhood with their careers. Her journey highlights the importance of providing the right structures to help women thrive both on and off the pitch, and she hopes her story will inspire the next generation of players to believe that they can achieve both.