Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder Melanie Leupolz has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 31.
Leupolz won the Bundesliga twice with Bayern Munich and the Women’s Super League on four occasions with Chelsea, in addition to Olympic gold and the 2013 European Championship with Germany in a senior career spanning 15 years.
She has called time on her career following one season at Real Madrid, where she made 25 appearances in Liga F and the Champions League.
“After many intense and emotional years in professional football, I have made a difficult decision to retire this summer,” she said in a video posted on social media. “It hasn’t been an easy decision.
“Football has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I fell in love with the game when I was a little girl and it soon became my passion.
“I’ve had the privilege to play at the highest level for many years, representing amazing clubs alongside my country, winning many titles, creating unforgettable memories and meeting incredible people along the way.
“Thank you to everyone who was a part of this journey. Thank you football.”
Leupolz began her senior career at Freiburg before moving to Bayern in 2014. She spent six years at the German club before moving to…
