FC Bayern is expanding its team of Legends to include five former personalities from its women's football department: Karin Danner, Melanie Leupolz, Lena Lotzen, Viktoria Schnaderbeck and Gina Lewandowski are joining Giovane Élber and his colleagues as newly integrated FC Bayern Women Legends, bringing their close connection to the German record champions to life beyond their playing or managerial careers.
📸 The best pictures of the FC Bayern Women Legends at the Bundesliga opener at the Allianz Arena:
As players and club officials, they helped shape the history of women's football at FC Bayern and were instrumental in shaping the club's development. In their new role as ambassadors, they will work with FC Bayern to address issues beyond the pitch, including the further development of women's sport and the compatibility of competitive sport and motherhood, and the transition of professional female athletes into life following their sporting careers.
Karin Danner
"After decades as a player and manager, it fills me with immense gratitude to be able to continue to represent women's football at FC Bayern as a Legend. The fact that the club now also includes female Legends is a strong sign of respect, equality and shared history. From the beginnings in the 70s to promotion to the Bundesliga in 2000 and the first double in 2025 - we have written a success story that has become the best in the country and one of the best internationally. I and the entire team are proud of this."
Melanie Leupolz
"It means a lot to me to be accepted as part of the FC Bayern Legends. My time in Munich was incredibly formative - for me as a person and as a player. The first championship win in 2015 in particular will never be forgotten. The fact that the achievements of the female players are now being honoured just as much as those of the men shows how important it is to make the history of women's football visible."
Lena Lotzen
"Being part of the FC Bayern Legends is a great honour for me personally. I'm proud to have helped write a piece of women's football history at FC Bayern and to be able to continue to represent the club. It's wonderful that there are now officially women's Legends alongside the men. This shows the growing importance of women's football. My outstanding memories include winning the DFB Cup in 2012 and the league titles in 2015 and 2016, but also many personal moments and the special camaraderie with my teammates."
Viktoria Schnaderbeck
"It's a great honour to remain part of the FC Bayern family as a Legend. This recognition not only means being appreciated personally, but also sends a strong signal for us former players and our achievements. In Munich, I matured from a girl to a woman, made friends for life and look back with gratitude on unforgettable memories such as the two league titles and winning the DFB Cup."
Gina Lewandowski
"When I joined FC Bayern in 2012, the club and the city quickly became my second home. My time in Munich was incredibly formative and I developed both in sporting terms and personally. It means all the more to me to now be able to play an active part as one of the FC Bayern Women Legends for a club that has already given me so much, and it's a great honour. The foundation is a strong sign of the appreciation and growth of women's football and an important encouraging factor, especially for young girls, to pave their own path - in football and beyond."
FC Bayern Women will host Arsenal at the Allianz Arena in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League:
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