DFB player and policewoman Janina Minge
Germany’s representative for internal security
Updated on July 23, 2025 – 11:17 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Janina Minge is in action for the DFB team as a captain-she was a patrol officer with the police. One could say: she has to do with security issues.
She is a defensive leading player in the national team, stabilizer in the midfield of VfL Wolfsburg and at the same time police officer. Janina Minge, 24 years old, has to do in a central role in internal security, on and off the square. “I decided early on to choose a profession that also fulfills me away from the lawn,” she told the “FAZ”. She deliberately chose the police service. She is happy to take responsibility.
This is shown by the view of her sporting-day everyday life: in September 2022 she won the European Police Championship in Spain. She competed there for the German police team-and got the European Championship title. In addition to football training on the pitch, Minge completed police deployment training, theoretical exams, but also sporting competitions with colleagues from all over Europe. It is currently released from the active service -how many top athletes in Germany, who are officially employed by the police, are temporarily departed from the regular service for their sporting career.
Sports and work also have more to do with the European Championship than you might think at first glance. Because Mining, which comes from Lindau on Lake Constance, is not only the new captain of the DFB team after Giulia Gwinn’s injury-related departure, but also responsible for protection, discipline and leadership. In conversation with the “FAZ” she said before the game against Denmark: “I am ready to go.”
How they combine both worlds, both roles, also shows their presence on Instagram. There she divided a picture in a police uniform, provided with an emoji heart-a rare insight into her life away from the lawn, which otherwise treats it rather cautiously.
In the field it is present, aggressive, strong in combat – properties that are also required in the police profession. In the “picture” she described her role before the European Championship game against Poland striker Ewa Pajor: “I am happy to accept the duels.” Pajor did little against the DFB selection, also thanks to Janina Minge, the team representative for internal security.
The quarter-finals against the strong French women survived Germany-after Kathy Hendrich’s rabid cable train outnumbered-mainly because Minge’s nerve strength, mentality and position game strengthened the decimated defense. She also safely converted the important shot in the penalty shootout, although she had to wait forever that the ball was finally released. She stood in the starting eleven in all previous European Championship games and completed the full season every time-and will also lead the team in the semi-finals against Spain.