German footballer Lena Oberdorf tore her ACL in her right knee for the second time during a Bundesliga match against 1. FC Köln. After over a year of absence, her comeback ends abruptly after just a few games. The incident is a shock for FC Bayern and the national team.
Lena Oberdorf, 23 years old, suffered an ACL tear in her right knee on Sunday in the 20th minute of FC Bayern's Bundesliga match against 1. FC Köln. The collision with Köln's Adriana Achcińska near the midfield line caused an unnatural twist of the knee at high speed. Oberdorf screamed in pain, and FC Bayern confirmed the diagnosis on Monday: A renewed tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, requiring months of absence.
Oberdorf had only just celebrated her comeback at the end of August after her first ACL tear in July 2024 – during an EM qualifier against Austria. In this season, she played just 318 minutes. Bayern's football manager Bianca Rech stated in a press release: "This news hits us all hard and we feel with Lena. After her first injury, she worked on her comeback with great will and tireless effort." The DFB posted on Instagram: "We are with you, Obi." Oberdorf was set to return on Friday in the Nations League semi-final against France.
The injury is a personal tragedy for Oberdorf, who described her first rehab as a "hellish time" and questioned her self-image as an athlete. She missed the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2025 EM in Switzerland. On Instagram, she posted a black-and-white photo with the caption: "Until we meet again ..."
The case highlights a broader issue in women's football: Around 60 players in European top leagues and the USA are currently sidelined with ACL tears. Possible causes include anatomical factors like a wider pelvis and bowlegs, as well as hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. A FIFA-funded study is investigating this link. Inadequate training conditions and a packed schedule exacerbate the risk. Teammate Giulia Gwinn and DFB manager Nia Künzer, who each suffered multiple tears, offer support. For Oberdorf's career, the tear poses another challenge: After a potential year-long absence, she would be 25 and have spent nearly three years without extended playing time.