Birgit Prinz
German striker, two-time World Cup champion, three-time FIFA Player of the Year.
Birgit Prinz (born 25 October 1977) is a German former footballer who is regarded as one of the most prolific strikers in women's football history. She was a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Prinz played for 1. FFC Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga and the Carolina Courage in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first professional women's league in the United States. She is the second FIFA Women's World Cup all-time leading scorer with 14 goals, behind only Marta from Brazil.
- born
- 25 October 1977
- field
- Football (soccer)
- nationality
- German
- known_for
- Two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, second all-time leading scorer in FIFA Women's World Cup history
Lore & Background
Prinz began her career at Dörnigheimer SV and made her Bundesliga debut for FSV Frankfurt, where she played from 1993 to 1998, winning two Bundesliga titles and two German Cups. In 1998, she moved to local rivals 1. FFC Frankfurt, where she had her biggest club success, winning six Bundesliga titles, eight German Cups, and three UEFA Women's Cups. She also played two seasons for the Carolina Courage in the WUSA, winning the 2002 WUSA Championship. After the 2003 World Cup, she declined an offer from AC Perugia to play in Italy's men's Serie A, fearing it would be a publicity stunt.
Reader's Guide
Birgit Prinz's significance lies in her dominance as a striker and her role in elevating women's football in Germany and internationally. She was the first woman to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times consecutively (2003–2005) and remains the second all-time leading scorer in FIFA Women's World Cup history with 14 goals. Her leadership as captain of the German national team from 2003 to her retirement helped secure two World Cup titles and multiple European Championships. At club level, her 13 seasons with 1. FFC Frankfurt yielded numerous domestic and European titles, and her brief stint in the WUSA added a championship. After retiring, she transitioned into sport psychology, working with youth and professional teams at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, reflecting a career that extended beyond playing. Her records for Germany—most caps and most goals—underscore her lasting impact on the national team.
Did You Know?
- Prinz made her national team debut at age 16 and scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute.
- She is the youngest player ever to appear in a FIFA Women's World Cup Final (1995).
- Prinz won eight consecutive German Female Footballer of the Year awards from 2001 to 2008.
- She holds the record for most caps (214) and most goals (128) for the German national team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Birgit Prinz?
Birgit Prinz is a retired German striker born on 25 October 1977, widely regarded as one of the most prolific forwards in women's football history. She is best known for her clinical finishing and multiple international titles with the German national team.
What are Birgit Prinz's biggest achievements?
She lifted two FIFA Women's World Cup trophies and was named FIFA World Player of the Year on three separate occasions. She also stands as the second all-time top scorer in Women's World Cup history with 14 goals.
Which clubs did Birgit Prinz play for?
Prinz spent her domestic career with 1. FFC Frankfurt in Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga. She also featured for the Carolina Courage in the WUSA, the first professional women's league in the United States.
How many goals did Birgit Prinz score in World Cups?
She netted 14 goals across her World Cup campaigns, placing her second on the all-time scoring list behind only Brazil's Marta. That total underscores her reputation as a consistent tournament scorer.
Why is Birgit Prinz considered a legend in women's football?
Her blend of two World Cup titles, three individual Player of the Year honours, and a career spanning elite European and American leagues made her a generational talent. She played a major role in raising the global profile of the women's game during the 2000s.
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