Celia Sasic
Forward · 1. FFC Frankfurt · Germany
About Celia Sasic
Celia Sasic was the top scorer at the 2015 Women's World Cup, sharing the Golden Boot with Carli Lloyd — a remarkably gifted forward who retired at 27 to start a family, leaving the women's game at her absolute peak.
Celia Sasic's story
From Odem to Stardom
Celia Odinaka Okoyino da Mbabi — who plays under her married name Celia Sasic — was born on 27 December 1988 in Nuremberg to a German mother and Nigerian father. She grew up in Germany, joined 1. FFC Frankfurt's development programme, and became one of the most technically gifted forwards in Frauen-Bundesliga history.
Frankfurt Success
With 1. FFC Frankfurt, Sasic won the UEFA Women's Champions League and multiple league titles. Her quick movement, technical sharpness, and eye for goal made her one of the most coveted forwards in European women's football. She was the Frauen-Bundesliga's top scorer multiple times.
2015 World Cup
The 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada was Sasic's defining tournament. She scored six goals in as many appearances, sharing the Golden Boot with USWNT star Carli Lloyd. Germany were knocked out in the semi-finals but Sasic's tournament was outstanding. It was to be her last major tournament.
Shock Retirement
In August 2016, aged just 27 and at the height of her powers, Sasic announced her retirement from football to start a family. The decision shocked the football world — she had been one of Germany's most important players. She has since had children and remained out of the game professionally.
Did you know?
- Sasic retired from professional football aged just 27 — at the absolute peak of her powers — to start a family, a decision she has said she has never regretted.
- She shared the Golden Boot at the 2015 Women's World Cup with six goals, becoming the only player other than Carli Lloyd to reach that tally at the tournament.
- Sasic's father is Nigerian and she has spoken about growing up with a mixed cultural identity in Germany, saying it gave her a breadth of perspective and made her resilient in the face of challenges.
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