The (DFB) announced Almuth Schult’s retirement on Monday. The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League () in December last year. She is expecting her fourth child in October.
“It was always clear to me that I would be available for the national team as long as my competitive sports career lasted. It has always filled me with pride to represent my country and to hear the anthem,” said Schult: “A career is marked by ups and downs, and I’m happy about every single one of them. They have shaped me and taught me.”
After , and making the Germany squad for the Euros played in 2022, Schult had a third child in 2023 and missed the World Cup. She had hoped to return to the national side but she lost her spot to Merle Frohms. Germany head coach Christian Wück confirmed he had spoken to Schult in November 2024, but announced in March this year that Ann-Katrin Berger would be Germany’s number one for Euro 2025 this summer.
A character and a winner
After successful stints at Magdeburg and Bad Neuenahr, Schult signed for Wolfsburg in 2013. She spent nine years at the club, winning the a year after her arrival as well six league titles and eight domestic cups.
Schult was an uncapped part of Germany’s 2011 World Cup squad, before making her debut in 2012. She was a member of the 2013 Euro winning squad and was also in the 2015 World Cup squad in Canada. She replaced Nadine Angerer late in 2015 and a year later was a . Her 66th and last cap for Germany came in November 2022, making history as the
“I have valued Almuth for years as a strong personality who has always put herself at the service of the team on and off the pitch. She has set standards as a goalkeeper and as a person, always keeping an eye on the development of women’s football as a whole,” said DFB Sports Director Nia Künzer, adding she felt Schult’s bravery had helped many other women.
“Family was always my first priority. It has been my whole life. I learned from my parents that this is the most important thing in the world,” .
Schult, who is also co-founder of the ‘Football can do more’ initiative, which campaigns for more gender equality, has been a who want to have a child during their careers. Her approach has changed the process for the next generation, particularly in Germany.
Schult is to be given her farewell ahead of the home Nations League match against Scotland on April 8 in Wolfsburg. And she will be at Euro 2025 this summer, but as a tv expert rather than a keeper between the sticks.
Edited by: Matt Pearson
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