Birgit Prinz

Forward Birgit Prinz was a member of the German female football squad eliminated in the group stage at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, at the next three consecutive Olympics she won three bronze medals. She also won the World Cup in 2003 (as top scorer with seven goals) and 2007, and was European Champion in 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2009. In 2006, she won the Algarve Cup. Prinz won 214 international caps and scored 128 goals. She was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award. She was considered the epitome of German female soccer players as one of the most successful players ever. In 2013, she was named honourable captain of the national team.

From 2003-05 Prinz was elected FIFA World Soccer Player of the Year three times and was Germany’s Player of the Year eight times from 2001-08. She was inducted into the German Football Hall of Fame in 2019 and became FIFA ambassador for women’s soccer development. In 2003, she was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup and in 2007 added the Silver Ball. In 2003 and 2009 she was a member of the Sports Team of Year in Germany.

At club level, Prinz played with FSV Frankfurt (1992-98), 1. FFC Frankfurt (1998-2002 and 2002-11), Caroline Courage in the USA (2002), and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (2012-13). In 1995, 1998-99, 2001-03, 2005, and 2007-08 she helped Frankfurt win the German national title, and the German Cup in 1995, 1996, 1999-2003, 2007-08, and 2011. In 2002, 2006 and 2008 she also was on the Frankfurt Champions League winning team. In 2002, she also won the Founders Cup in the USA.

Prinz trained as a masseuse and medical lifeguard, and studied sports psychology. She graduated in 2010 and was employed by TSG Hoffenheim. She also supported the German Football Association at major tournaments as a sports psychologist.