There are many types of footballer – the strong, the tactically aware, the technical. But every so often – once in a generation, occasionally more if you are lucky – there are those that come along who are a cut above. They make their craft look effortless, gliding and dancing across the grass. They are the artists of the sport who paint different pictures on the pitch and exist at least three paces ahead of everyone else around them, directing play like a conductor does an orchestra.
Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsán belongs to this unique set of players. As she entered the field on Tuesday for the 112th and final time in a Germany shirt, there was a real sense we were saying goodbye to one of her country’s best ever. She bowed to the 32,000 fans, each and every one showing their appreciation for a player who many see as the most technically capable to play for the national team. For a girl who “just wanted to play football”, hers has been an international career that has spanned 13 years as her and her nation became European champions for the eighth time and Olympic gold medallists for the first.
Born in Budapest, Marozsán moved to Germany at the age of four when her father János, a Hungarian international, transferred to FC Saarbrücken. Her talent was spotted at a young age and the DFB supported her and her family with the naturalisation process.
Marozsán went on to play for Saarbrücken, making her Bundesliga debut at 14. She remains the youngest player to play in the league. A move to Frankfurt followed, where she won the first of her six Champions League titles. In 2016, the bright lights of Lyon came calling and she fast made France her home. She has been with the French champions ever since, playing an integral role in five league titles and five UWCL wins.
Her Germany debut was inevitable and it came at the age 18 against Australia. As she replaced the legendary Birgit Prinz, a new German star was born. Her goal against Sweden in Euro 2013 sent her nation, the future champions, through to the final while she scored the winning goal, against Sweden again, to lift gold at the 2016 Olympics.
More international silverware and recognition would have surely followed, but for a series of injuries and a major health scare. She missed the 2011 World Cup, played a limited role in 2015 and broke her toe before the 2019 edition. She also missed out on last summer’s European Championships with an ACL injury. Most serious of all, however, was the discovery of a pulmonary embolism in the summer of 2018 that left everyone wondering if she’d ever make it back. In fact, she was out for three months, a recovery befitting of her as a player.
Marozsán’s intelligent and deft style has often meant she is not always the centre of attention. Her ability on the ball has always been clear – whether it be threading the eye of a needle or providing a trademark finish. However, her work off the ball has at times gone unnoticed, as it does with so many players of her ilk. Her game-reading ability and sixth sense about where the space is are second to none, making the runs to allow her teammates to break through the defensive lines.
Her performances won her plaudits from teammates and opponents alike. Before her final game, Lina Magull said: “I learned a lot from her and really enjoyed my time with her because she is simply one of the best footballers in Germany.” England’s Lucy Bronze has called her the “world’s best player”.
While there will be no more moments in that Germany shirt, Marozsán is not ready to give up just yet. As she says, she is still that girl who just wants to play football. This decision stems from her inability to put her knee through the rigours of both sides of the sport. With her Lyon contract up in the summer, it remains to be seen where she will end up next season. What is certain, however, is that fans will be able to watch her work her magic for a little while longer.
Recommended viewing
There has been many a great goal scored over this international break, but one to watch on repeat is Nicola Docherty’s thunderbolt winner for Scotland against Australia. The audacity, the hit and the dip all make it a worthy winner.
👏 @NicDoc11 take a BOW! What a strike to open the scoring in London!#SWNTpic.twitter.com/O6a1RNXoxm
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) April 7, 2023
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