Retirement Announced: Almuth Schult (34) is retiring from professional football, expecting her fourth child in October.
Decorated Career: 66 caps for Germany, Olympic gold (2016), European Championship (2013), Champions League winner (2014), 6x German Champion, 8x DFB Cup winner.
Pioneer for Mothers: Returned to professional football twice after pregnancies (twins in 2020, third child in 2023), becoming a role model and advocate for maternity rights in sport.
Final Stint: Played for Kansas City Current in the US NWSL until late 2024, proving her ability at the highest level after her third child.
Advocacy Role: Known for being outspoken on improving conditions in women's football and pushing for gender equality, significantly impacting regulations and perceptions.
Why this matters: Schult's career transcends athletic achievement. She broke barriers for female athletes wanting families, challenged established structures, and used her platform to drive meaningful change in football, making her a pivotal figure in the sport's development.
Almuth Schult's journey began in the Wendland region of Lower Saxony. After starting at FC Samtgemeinde Gartow, she moved through the DFB youth teams, winning the U20 World Cup in 2010. Her club career saw spells at SC 07 Bad Neuenahr before joining VfL Wolfsburg in 2013, where she cemented her legacy. During her time there, Wolfsburg dominated German women's football, securing numerous domestic titles and the 2014 Champions League.
Schult's playing style was marked by exceptional reflexes, robustness, anticipation, and a commanding presence that often intimidated opposing strikers. She played through injury, notably a significant shoulder issue during the 2019 World Cup.
Beyond her on-field success, Schult became a pivotal figure in advocating for change. She openly criticized poor conditions in the Bundesliga, negotiated with the DFB for better resources, and became a leading voice for athlete mothers. After giving birth to twins in 2020 and her third child in 2023, she fought her way back to top-level football, playing for Kansas City Current (KCC) in the NWSL until the end of 2024. Her return after childbirth, particularly her second comeback, challenged norms and inspired many. She was the first player globally to benefit from new FIFA maternity regulations she helped shape.
DFB Sports Director Nia Künzer praised Schult, stating, "She set standards as a goalkeeper and as a person... It's not just about sporting development for her, but also societal development." Despite facing skepticism, particularly from European clubs regarding her return after motherhood, Schult proved her abilities again in the NWSL.
While extending her stay in the US wasn't feasible for family reasons, the experience was significant. She now transitions away from playing professionally but intends to remain involved in football, potentially playing as an outfield player for her local men's team and continuing her work as a TV expert for ARD.
Why did Almuth Schult retire?
Almuth Schult, 34, announced her retirement from professional football primarily for family reasons. She is expecting her fourth child in October and stated the path back to professional sports after pregnancy is "incredibly difficult" and she is ready to stop.
What were Almuth Schult's major achievements?
Schult won Olympic Gold (2016), the European Championship (2013), the Champions League (2014 with VfL Wolfsburg), six German league titles, and eight DFB Cups. She earned 66 caps for the German national team.
What is Almuth Schult known for besides playing football?
Schult is recognized as a strong advocate for women's football, pushing for better conditions, gender equality, and improved support for mothers in professional sports. She worked with FIFPro on new maternity regulations and is also a respected TV pundit for ARD.
End of an Era: A key figure in German women's football, both as a player and a personality, is stepping down from the professional game.
Impact Beyond Sport: Schult demonstrated that motherhood and a top-level sports career can coexist, actively fighting for better conditions to make this possible for others.
Voice for Change: Her willingness to speak out on inequality and advocate for improvements has left a lasting mark on the sport's structures and culture.
Future Role: Expect to continue seeing Schult involved in football through her media work and potentially grassroots involvement.
Almuth Schult's career highlights her impact both on and off the pitch. Do you think her advocacy will continue to influence football for years to come? Let us know!
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Source 1: NDR.de - Almuth Schult verkündet Karriereende target="_blank"
Source 2: DER SPIEGEL - Eine ganz Große hört auf target="_blank"
Source 3: taz.de - Hadern im System target="_blank"
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