The biggest moments in sports are often crafted by its biggest stars, but sometimes the moment has to be just right to forge the star. Germany captain Alexandra Popp can relate to both.
If the Women’s European Championship had taken place when it was originally scheduled—summer of 2021—Popp would have missed it for a third straight time due to injury. In 2013, an ankle injury kept her out, and four years later, it was a meniscus problem. Last summer, another knee injury could have ended her career. Instead, after the tournament was postponed by a year, Popp, a two-time Champions League winner, has established herself as the clear star of this summer’s competition, both in terms of the narrative and the gameplay.