Melanie Behringer
Midfielder · Bayern Munich · Germany
About Melanie Behringer
Melanie Behringer was one of the finest attacking midfielders in European women's football across a decade of top-level play, winning two Women's World Cups with Germany and becoming the heartbeat of FC Bayern Munich's women's team.
Melanie Behringer's story
Bavaria's Talent
Melanie Behringer was born on 2 July 1985 in Bad Abbach, Bavaria. She came up through the youth ranks in Bavaria and became one of the first female players to represent FC Bayern Munich's professional women's team when the club launched it in 2002. She made her Germany debut in 2006 and quickly became a fixture.
Technical Excellence
Standing just 163 cm, Behringer was never the most physically imposing player, but her technical excellence, close control, and creativity more than compensated. She was an expert at finding space in tight areas and could unlock a defence with a single pass or dribble. She was Germany's creative link between midfield and attack.
World Cup Winner Twice
Behringer was part of Germany's 2007 World Cup triumph and was still playing when they won again in 2019 — a remarkable span. She was also part of the silver medal squad at the 2016 Olympics. Her longevity at the top level reflected exceptional physical conditioning and football intelligence.
Bayern Icon
Behringer spent much of her club career at Bayern Munich, helping build the club's women's team into one of the leading forces in the Frauen-Bundesliga. She retired from football in 2019 and has remained involved in the women's game in Germany in an ambassador capacity.
Did you know?
- Behringer was one of the first female players to represent FC Bayern Munich in an official Frauen-Bundesliga match when the club launched its women's programme.
- She won the FIFA Women's World Cup in both 2003 and 2007 — across a career that spanned three decades of German dominance in the women's game.
- Behringer has been open about balancing a professional career with family life in Bavaria; after retirement she has been involved in promoting the women's game in her home region.
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