After seven years on the Isar, goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs is leaving FC Bayern Frauen at the end of the season. The 24-year-old fought her way back from cancer and is now looking for a new challenge.
When the FC Bayern women play their last home game against Eintracht Frankfurt on campus on Saturday afternoon, it will be emotional. Because goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs is leaving the Munich team at the end of the season and will receive a fitting farewell before the game for her time at FCB. The club announced this on Tuesday.
Five league titles, one cup win and two Supercup successes
Mala Grohs, as she chose her nickname, played for FC Bayern for seven years. Coming from VfL Bochum at a young age, she only played for the second team on the Isar before her performances made her eligible for the Bundesliga. Having risen to number one, the 24-year-old played a total of 95 games for FCB and celebrated five championship titles, a DFB Cup victory and two Supercup victories.
“FC Bayern has become a home for me. (…) When I look back on my seven years here, I think of countless little moments in the dressing room, of our title wins and my first steps in professional football,” said the graduate in the club’s message.
Bianca Rech, director of women’s football at the club, emphasizes the goalkeeper’s role in the team: “She was instrumental in many of our team’s special moments. At the same time, with her warm-hearted character, she was a central personality for the entire team structure.”
Grohs with a comeback Cancer disease
The goalkeeper will not forget her time at FC Bayern not only because of the successes and positive developments. In November 2024 she made it public that she had cancer. The club’s support was also made clear by an immediate contract extension until the summer of 2026, and there was great sympathy throughout football in Germany. After a successful operation, Grohs celebrated her comeback three months after her illness became known and was back in goal for Munich for a test match at the end of January 2025.
“Your serious illness hit us all very hard,” says Rech about the difficult time. “But Mala always carried on with impressive strength, courage and great positivity and set an example for many people. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for everything she has done for FC Bayern.”
Maria Luisa Grohs: “Pride and gratitude”
After her recovery, Grohs fought her way back into competitive sports, but was recently only number two in the squad due to the strong performances of DFB substitute goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic. In the 2025/26 season she was used eight times in the Bundesliga and twice in the Champions League.
The goalkeeper herself says about the successful and also turbulent time: “The path wasn’t always straight forward, it demanded everything from me in various places and gave even more in return in others.” Now she looks back on the seven years with pride and gratitude. “The hardest thing for me is leaving behind the girls, you fans and this special atmosphere around the team – the warm looks and the joy in your eyes.”
Now the young professional soccer player is looking for a new challenge. Where she will go is not yet known. She only wants one thing for the last few weeks at FC Bayern: “That we end the season with a double.”
Source: BR24 May 5, 2026 – 1:38 p.m
