Overview

• Alara Şehitler played her second match for Germany's senior national team against Scotland on April 4, 2025, wearing a jersey displaying only her first name.
• Her decision to remove her surname, which translates to 'martyrs' in Turkish, was driven by its exploitation by far-right groups for Nazi-related propaganda.
• The German Football Association (DFB), FC Bayern MunichUEFA approved Şehitler's request, citing the need to shield her from further harassment.
• Frank Schweizerhof of the Bavarian Football Association praised Şehitler's choice as 'understandable and courageous,' while lamenting the societal conditions necessitating such a move.
• Şehitler, a rising star in German football and a 2022 U17 European Champion, continues to gain prominence as a symbol of resilience and representation in sports.