Legend retires
August 12, 2011
German women's football legend Birgit Prinz hung up her boots Friday, putting a bookend on a stellar career after a disappointing 2011 World Cup on home soil.
The 33-year-old striker, who played the bulk of her domestic football with Bundesliga team FFC Frankfurt, said "football was one of the biggest passions in my life, so I found it hard to finish the chapter."
Prinz, who has a degree in psychology, won nine German championships and 10 league cups in a professional career that lasted nearly two decades.
She was a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, but was dropped from the Germany World Cup starting XI in the quarterfinals after coach Silvia Neid opted for youth over experience. Soon after, she announced her retirement from national team football.
Most capped player
Prinz holds the record for national appearances - 214 - in which she scored 128 goals.
The national team featuring Prinz won two World Cups and five European championships. Prinz was also a three-time Olympic medalist.
"Birgit Prinz is a brilliant and extraordinary sports personality, who has achieved so much for women's football in Germany," German Football Association President Theo Zwanziger said on Friday.
Her last appearance came during this year's World Cup in Germany in a 1-0 group stage win over Nigeria. Germany were largely tipped to take out the 2011 women's football showpiece but were knocked out in the quarterfinals by eventual champions Japan.
Author: Darren Mara (dpa, SID)
Editor: Nicole Goebel