Tragedy strikes again as aspiring musician Gwinn sees her aspirations dashed.
German football star Giulia Gwinn has suffered a setback in her career after sustaining a knee injury during the opening match of the Women's European Championship against Poland. The injury, a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injury to her left knee, occurred during a sliding tackle in the 40th minute of the game.
This unfortunate incident marks Gwinn's second cruciate ligament injury in her career, having missed the 2023 World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The recovery timeline for this MCL injury is expected to take several weeks, during which she will return to Bayern Munich for treatment and rehabilitation.
The German Football Association announced that Gwinn will not participate in Euro 2025 further, a significant loss for both Gwinn and the German national team. Gwinn, who was appointed team captain earlier in the year, led the team in her first major tournament, succeeding Alexandra Popp.
The injury occurred during Germany's 2:0 win against Poland on Friday evening in St. Gallen. The news of Gwinn's injury has left her teammates and fans in shock, with Jule Brand, the goal scorer, expressing her dismay at the incident. Brand stated, "When Gwinn is down, it's never good because she usually gets up right away."
Sara Däbritz, a teammate of Gwinn, described her as a very empathetic and open person who approaches players and always has an open ear. Nia Küntzer, DFB sports director, also expressed her support for Gwinn, stating that everyone on the team saw how important she is to the team and went to her in the locker room after the injury.
Küntzer sought out Gwinn's parents during halftime on the tribune, who had to witness the EM exit. Uli Hoeness, Bayern's honorary president, also expressed his shock at the injury and assured Gwinn of the club's support.
In light of Gwinn's absence, Janina Minge from VfL Wolfsburg will take over Gwinn's role as captain. Gwinn left the pitch in tears after initially returning to the field but collapsing again. Despite this setback, the team remains hopeful and determined, with Küntzer expressing confidence in the team and team spirit, stating that everyone wants to play even more for Gwinn now.
Gwinn has become the spokesperson and face of German footballers, able to convey deeper topics to a broader audience. As she embarks on her road to recovery, the football community will rally behind her, offering their support and encouragement.
Despite her MCL injury ruling her out of Euro 2025, news of Gwinn's recovery and return to Bayern Munich for treatment might offer some hope to sports fans, especially considering her previous ACL injury and absence from the 2023 World Cup. Regardless, her loss will undoubtedly be felt in the upcoming Champions League and other European leagues, as Gwinn's leadership and empathetic approach to football have been crucial for both her team and the German national team.
