Almuth Schult

1. Overview

Almuth Schult (Almuth Schult_{ˈʔalmuːt ˈʃʊlt}^German; born on February 9, 1991) is a renowned German footballer who has prominently played as a goalkeeper for various clubs and the Germany national team. Her career is marked by significant achievements, including a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics with the German national team, a UEFA European Women's Championship title, and multiple Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal wins with VfL Wolfsburg. This article details her comprehensive journey from her early football beginnings to her celebrated professional and international career, concluding with her personal life and extensive honours.

2. Early Life and Background

Almuth Schult's journey into professional football began in her formative years, laying the groundwork for her successful career as a goalkeeper.

2.1. Childhood and Early Football Introduction

Almuth Schult was born on February 9, 1991, in Dannenberg, Germany. Her introduction to football started at a very young age, specifically when she was five years old. She began her career at her local football club, FC SG Gartow, located in Dannenberg, Lower Saxony. This early involvement provided her with foundational experiences in the sport, setting the stage for her future professional pursuits.

3. Club Career

Almuth Schult's club career spans several German leagues and a tenure in the United States, marked by steady progression and significant team success, particularly with VfL Wolfsburg.

3.1. Youth and Early Amateur Career

After starting with FC SG Gartow at age five, Schult moved to Hamburger SV in 2007. The following year, in 2008, she joined Magdeburger FFC, where she played in the Regionalliga, which was the third tier of German women's football at the time. At Magdeburger FFC, Schult quickly established herself as a regular starter. Her consistent performance helped the team achieve promotion to the 2. Frauen-Bundesliga, the second tier, where she played for two full seasons, gaining valuable experience and refining her goalkeeping skills.

3.2. German Professional Career

Schult's ascent in German professional football continued when she signed a three-year contract with Frauen-Bundesliga side SC 07 Bad Neuenahr in 2011. Her strong performances there led her to a major move in 2013, when she signed a two-year contract with VfL Wolfsburg, a prominent club that had just won both the Bundesliga and the UEFA Women's Champions League. During her extensive tenure at VfL Wolfsburg, Schult became a cornerstone of the team, contributing significantly to their dominance in German football. She helped Wolfsburg win four Bundesliga titles (2013-14, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19) and five consecutive DFB-Pokal titles (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). She was also part of the team that won the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2014. In April 2024, Schult returned to Hamburger SV to play until the end of the 2023-24 season.

3.3. North American Club Career

In April 2022, Almuth Schult ventured into the NWSL in the United States, signing an 18-month contract with Angel City FC. However, her time with the club was brief, as she featured in only one match before leaving in November of the same year. On August 2, 2024, she signed with another NWSL club, the Kansas City Current, for the remainder of the 2024 season. With Kansas City Current, Schult contributed to the team's victory in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. She departed the club in December 2024.

4. International Career

Almuth Schult has had a distinguished international career, representing Germany at various youth levels and becoming a pivotal player for the senior national team, contributing to significant tournament victories.

4.1. Youth National Teams

Schult began her international journey representing Germany's youth national teams. She participated in the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup held in New Zealand, where she played in two matches, helping Germany secure a third-place finish. Two years later, at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, which was hosted on home soil in Germany, Schult served as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper. Her performance was instrumental in the team's success, as they went on to win the tournament.

Almuth Schult playing for Germany in 2021.

4.2. Senior National Team

Almuth Schult received her first call-up to the senior national team for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup squad, serving as the third goalkeeper. She made her official senior team debut on February 15, 2012, in a match against the Turkey during the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifiers. Schult was part of the German squad that won the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 in Sweden. She was also named to the squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada but did not feature in any matches, as Nadine Angerer remained the primary goalkeeper.

Following Nadine Angerer's retirement after the 2015 World Cup, Schult assumed the role of Germany's primary goalkeeper. Her first major tournament as the undisputed starter was the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She played every minute of the tournament, contributing significantly to Germany's historic achievement of winning their first-ever gold medal in women's Olympic football. Schult was also part of the German team that won the Algarve Cup in 2012 and 2014, and reached the final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, where Germany finished as runner-up.

Bundesliga: 2013-14, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
DFB-Pokal: 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
UEFA Women's Champions League: 2014

Kansas City Current

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup: 2024

6.2. International Honours

Germany

UEFA European Women's Championship: 2013, runner-up: 2022
Olympic Games: Gold medal, 2016
Algarve Cup: 2012, 2014

Germany U20

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: 2010

Germany U17

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Third place, 2008

6.3. Individual Honours

IFFHS World's Best Woman Goalkeeper: 2014
IFFHS World's Best Woman Goalkeeper of the Decade 2011-2020