Lena Oberdorf finally makes her Bayern Munich debut after missing over a year of action with an ACL injury | OneFootball

Lena Oberdorf (pictured right at Wolfsburg) has finally made her Bayern Munich debut (Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images)

Lena Oberdorf has made her Bayern Munich debut after recovering from an ACL injury which kept her out for the entirety of last season.

The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising young players in world football.

She joined Bayern Munich last year from rivals VfL Wolfsburg, in a deal worth £384,000.

At the time, the move made her one of the 10 most expensive players in world football.

However, she suffered an ACL tear on international duty in the summer of 2024. This kept her out of the 2024-25 season and Euro 2025.

Germany crashed out of Euro 2025 at the semi-final stage, after Aitana Bonmati sent Spain through to the final.

Lena Oberdorf makes return from injury in Bayern Munich debut

Lena Oberdorf replaced Georgia Stanway in the 81st minute of Bayern Munich’s 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.

It marked her return to action, 417 days after she tore her ACL.

Ahead of her return, she told Bayern Munich’s website: “The last months felt long, but pre-season after my rehab helps me. Every training session reduces the risk of sustaining another injury. It was time and I thought: I finally want to go out on the pitch.”

She added: “Of course I want to win, help the team and make the coach proud. My ambition is to always give my best. But I’ve realised football is finite. It can be over all of a sudden, so I’ve vowed to enjoy football as best I can. Otherwise, it’s no fun, and you don’t play well either.”

Oberdorf’s return came in front of a crowd of 57,762 fans. This marked a new record in German women’s football.

The 23-year-old is likely to be eased back into the team before she becomes a regular in the starting XI.

When did Lena Oberdorf suffer her ACL injury?

Lena Oberdorf suffered an ACL tear in July 2024, during Germany’s 4-0 victory over Austria.

The 23-year-old clattered into an opposing player and instantly clutched onto her leg in pain.

She was replaced after 70 minutes, with Bayern Munich later the same week confirming she had tore her ACL.

The injury was a blow for Oberdorf who missed both the Paris Olympics and Euro 2025.

She said: “I’ll never forget. I heard it crack, bone on bone, it was severe. I think Dunsti [Barbara Dunst] heard it too, she was my opponent at that moment. I have to ask her, she too plays for Bayern now. I knew immediately something bad had happened.”

Oberdorf added: “It was tough. Really tough. First I had crutches for six weeks. Then I was constantly in the gym, staring in the mirror and watching my knee bend. That time took a lot of strength, mentally too.

“It took months until I could run outside again. And when you finally start training with the team again, you’re still far from being able to play again.”