Introducing professional footballer, Melanie Leupolz. Who is now playing as a midfielder for Chelsea in the FA Women's Super League and Germany’s National Womens team. The 26 year old started her career with big moves competing in the U17 World Cup and was named captain of the U17 European Championship team in 2011. Lets not forget the Gold Medal win for Germany in the 2016 Summer Olympics! Leupolz signed for Chelsea in March and scored her first goal for the team this week, contributing to a huge 9-0 win against Bristol City. So without further ado let's meet Melanie...

Melanie is wearing Kay Michaels: Smoke Black

Melanie, What were your earliest memories of playing football...where did it all begin for you?

I grew up in the south of Germany, in the Allgäu, in a very rural area. I discovered football when I was around 5 years old and started training with the boys from my primary school. After that, I spent every day on the sports field. Football is my greatest passion, still to this day.

You’ve recently signed for Chelsea FC after playing for Bayern Munich for 6 years. What made you want to move to play in England and what would you say are the biggest differences between playing in Germany and England? 

I needed this new experience. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. It has always been my dream to play abroad. I think the English league is the most exciting in Europe because it's relatively even. Similarly, the development of women's football in England is rapid. A lot is invested in the professionalism of it, and more and more top players are finding their way to England. This increases the level of the league.

One big difference is the physical strength of the players. This makes the one on one tackles much more intense and the game faster. This also makes the game more interesting for the audience and the fans. Nevertheless, I have to say that I am also impressed by the technical qualities of my teammates.

This is your first move away from your native Germany - was it a hard decision to move to a new country? How are you settling into London life?

No it wasn't a hard decision to move, it was actually a big dream of mine and I have been really looking forward to the new challenge. I've been in London for about 5 weeks now and have settled in really well. My team also gave me a very warm welcome!

You’ve had the experience of representing your country in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where you won a gold medal and you’ve won the German Bundesliga twice with Bayern. What's your proudest achievement in your career to date and why?

Each title has its own story that I fondly remember. In 2013, when we won the European Championship, I was very young. It was my first tournament with the women's national team. Then I played my first World Cup in Canada where we finished 4th. Then in 2016 the great success at the Olympics. But the titles I won with FC Bayern were also great moments in my career.

If you weren't a professional football player what would you want to do as a career?

I used to want to be a teacher but now I can’t even imagine that for myself. After my active career, I would like to get into management.

Growing up watching football clubs, who did you support and who were your favorite players to watch? 

I never had an idol or a favorite player. I actually watched very little football and always found it more fun to play myself. That's still how I feel today.

Melanie is wearing our Slogan Sweatshirt

Being a professional athlete, you have to need a strong will to win and take risks. Do you think this is something you can learn and what sort of things do you do to keep motivated?

I think that you have to have a high level of motivation and ambition right from the very start. With all the experience you gain, you mature as a player. You can deal better with pressure and difficult situations. Nevertheless, it is important that you never lose the fun side and the will to win, then you automatically have the necessary motivation.

You’ve represented Germany at the highest level and played with, and against, some of the best players in the world - which nationality do you think has the best footballers?

Every country has incredible players. It is difficult to pick out individual people, but I’d say the best team is currently the USA.

You’ve achieved some incredible things already in your career but what's next for you? Have you got a goal you want to achieve before you hang up your boots in the future?

Of course I want to keep winning titles. I want to grow as a player, but also as a personality. I find the most important thing for me though is the moments you experience with your teammates. All the victories, but also the defeats from which you then learn. When I look back on my career later in years to come, I can proudly say that it was a wonderful time.

Thank you so much for taking your time to share your personal story with us and the BODA community!