Being a mom shouldn't end your football career – but Almuth Schult says that's exactly what happened to her in Europe. The former German goalkeeper, who won Olympic gold and lifted the Champions League trophy, believes clubs turned her away simply because she had children.
The 34-year-old star recently hung up her gloves after her contract with Kansas City Current in the US expired. She feels she still had more to give at the highest level.
European Clubs Reluctant to Sign Mothers
"I feel like in Europe, it is still not yet normal for a female soccer player to have children," Schult told Kicker magazine. "Whether the clubs admit it or not, that's my subjective impression."
She added that clubs worry about "adversity and difficulties with mothers" despite no evidence supporting these concerns. This mindset has real consequences for players planning families.
Schult, who earned 66 caps for Germany, gave birth to twins in 2020 and welcomed a third child in 2023. Despite her impressive credentials – including the 2014 Champions League with Wolfsburg and Olympic gold at Rio 2016 – European clubs only offered her third-choice backup positions.
"I was already out of contract after my second pregnancy," she revealed. "No club believed I could still help, even though I had already proven it after my first pregnancy."
US Clubs Show a Different Approach
The contrast between European and American attitudes toward player-mothers stands out clearly in Schult's experience. She credits US clubs with providing better support systems that allow players to continue competing after starting families.
"My career would presumably have taken a different course if I'd had the same support as I recently received in the US," she explained. This revelation raises questions about how European clubs might be missing out on talent by not accommodating mothers.
For betting enthusiasts, this situation highlights an interesting factor to consider when assessing women's teams. Clubs with progressive policies supporting player-mothers might retain experienced talent longer, potentially offering better value in competitive markets.
Schult has successfully transitioned to a media career as a football commentator on German TV. Her story shines a spotlight on an issue that could shape the future of women's football as the sport continues its rapid growth.
This reluctance to sign mothers might also impact team stability and experience levels across European competitions, potentially creating opportunities for more forward-thinking clubs to gain competitive advantages.
