Ramona Bachmann (German pronunciation: [raˈmoːna ˈbaxman]; born 25 December 1990) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a forward for National Women's Soccer League club Houston Dash and the Switzerland national team.[2]

Ramona Bachmann
Bachmann with Malmö in 2013
Personal information
Full name Ramona Bachmann[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-25) 25 December 1990 (age 33)
Place of birth Malters, Switzerland
Height 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Houston Dash
Number 28
Youth career
1997–2006 FC Malters
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Luzern
2007–2009 Umeå 50 (27)
2010 Atlanta Beat 10 (1)
2010–2011 Umeå 21 (13)
2011–2015 Rosengård 74 (45)
2015–2016 Wolfsburg 24 (5)
2017–2020 Chelsea 48 (7)
2020–2024 Paris Saint-Germain 60 (12)
2024– Houston Dash 12 (2)
International career
2007– Switzerland 147 (58)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:52, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:28, 30 October 2024 (UTC)

Bachmann, who is from Malters, moved to Sweden aged 16 and played for Umeå IK for four seasons from 2007 until 2011. She spent the 2010 season playing in the United States for Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) club Atlanta Beat. Ahead of the 2012 season she left Umeå and signed a contract with LdB FC Malmö. She went to German Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015.

Since making her debut for the Switzerland women's national football team in June 2007, Bachmann has won over 50 caps. She made her reputation with Switzerland's youth national teams, playing at the 2006 and 2010 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and being named UEFA's Golden Player at the 2009 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. At senior level Bachmann helped Switzerland qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in 2015. A persistent back injury hampered Bachmann's progress during the early part of her career.

Club career

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Starting her career in FC Malters before moving to SC Luwin, she then rejected offers from both Germany and USA to sign for Swedish club Umeå IK in Damallsvenskan at the age of 16 in 2007.[3] Following Marta's departure from the club in 2009, Bachmann became a key player at Umeå. She was voted Swiss female Player of the Year in 2009.[4]

In 2010, Bachmann joined new Women's Professional Soccer expansion team Atlanta Beat as their No. 1 pick in the 2009 WPS International Draft.[5] After an injury-hit season in the professional WPS, and after her contract with the Atlanta Beat was not renewed, Bachmann rejected offers from Germany, England and the United States to return to Umeå for the 2011 season.[6]

She was named the best player of the 2011 season, and subsequently moved to defending champion LdB Malmö.[7] Playing alongside Marta, Mittag and others, she slowly turned into one of the best footballers in the world. She won the Damallsvenskan in her last season with LdB Malmö.

On 26 August 2015 it was announced that Bachmann had joined German side VfL Wolfsburg for a contract that will last until 2018.[8] She was chosen Swiss Player of the Year for a second time in 2015. In December 2016, London-based FA WSL club Chelsea announced that Bachmann had agreed to join them when the transfer window opened the following month.[9]

In 2018, on 5 May, Bachmann scored twice, including the winning goal, in the Women's FA Cup final against Arsenal, a game which ended 3–1 to Bachmann's team, Chelsea.[10] She was named the Player of the Match by commentator Sue Smith.[citation needed]

On 3 July 2020, French club Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Bachmann on a two-year deal.[11]

On 3 April 2024, the Houston Dash announced that they had acquired Bachmann from Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed transfer fee.[12]

International career

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Ramona Bachmann playing for Switzerland, October 2012

Bachmann played for Switzerland in the 2006 and 2010 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[13] During the latter tournament she was hampered by a back injury.[13] At the 2009 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Belarus, Bachmann won the UEFA.com Golden Player award.[14]

Bachmann made her debut for the Swiss senior team against Sweden in June 2007, while only being 16 years of age .[15] In September 2010 Bachmann scored in Switzerland's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying defeat against England, but was criticised for her play acting that led to the dismissal of England goalkeeper Rachel Brown.[16] Bachmann admitted there was no foul and apologised for her actions,[17] while Brown's red card was rescinded on appeal.[18]

Bachmann was ruled out of the following play-offs against Denmark due to her persistent back pain.[19]

Bachmann's biggest achievement so far was the qualification for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, in Canada. Switzerland had never before qualified for a World Cup. After winning their home game against Malta, the team was sitting in front of the TV watching the game between Denmark and Iceland. If it ended in a draw, the Swiss would secure the group's victory. As said by herself: "When it ended in a draw and it was certain we had won the group, we started dancing on the tables."[20]

During the World cup, Switzerland reached the round of 16, with Bachmann scoring three times, all in a 10–1 victory over hapless Ecuador. The Swiss were edged out by hosts Canada, due to one goal by Josée Bélanger, just after the half-time break. After the World Cup, there were multiple clubs interested in the 24-year-old Bachmann, and she chose VfL Wolfsburg.[21]

In Switzerland's opening 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup match against Philippines, Bachmann scored the opening goal for a 2-0 win.[22]

Personal life

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Bachmann came out as lesbian during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.[23] She was previously in a relationship with fellow Swiss national team footballer Alisha Lehmann, who moved to London to play for West Ham United.[24] Their national team coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg explained: "The situation is not exceptional in women's football".[25]

In 2023, she announces her wedding with Charlotte, a french dance professor. [26]

Career statistics

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Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bachmann goal.
List of international goals scored by Ramona Bachmann
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 February 2010 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus   South Africa 1–0 3–1 2010 Cyprus Women's Cup
2 2–1
3 19 June 2010 Krasnoarmeysk Stadium, Krasnoarmeysk, Russia   Russia 2–0 3–0 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
4 3–0
5 23 June 2010 Shakhtyor Stadium, Karagandy, Kazakhstan   Kazakhstan 1–0 4–2 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
6 16 September 2010 Stadion Niedermatten, Wohlen, Switzerland   England 1–2 2–3 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA play-offs
7 17 September 2011 Impuls Arena, Augsburg, Germany   Germany 1–2 1–4 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
8 21 September 2011 Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau, Switzerland   Romania 2–1 4–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
9 3–1
10 23 October 2011 La Ciudad del Fútbol, Madrid, Spain   Spain 1–2 2–3 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
11 24 November 2011 Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau, Switzerland   Kazakhstan 6–1 8–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
12 7–1
13 31 March 2012 Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau, Switzerland   Turkey 3–0 5–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
14 16 June 2012 Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau, Switzerland   Spain 1–0 4–3 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
15 4–3
16 15 September 2012 Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey   Turkey 2–1 3–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
17 3–1
18 8 March 2013 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus   Netherlands 1–1 1–1 2013 Cyprus Women's Cup
19 11 March 2013 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus   Finland 1–0 3–2 2013 Cyprus Women's Cup
20 21 September 2013 Centre sportif de Colovray Nyon, Nyon, Switzerland   Serbia 1–0 9–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
21 9–0
22 26 September 2013 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland   Iceland 1–0 2–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
23 31 October 2013 Vejle Stadium, Vejle, Denmark   Denmark 1–0 1–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
24 5 April 2014 Herti Allmend Stadion, Zug, Switzerland   Malta 1–0 11–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
25 14 June 2014 Stadion Niedermatten, Wohlen, Switzerland   Israel 3–0 9–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
26 5–0
27 19 June 2014 Inđija Stadium, Inđija, Serbia   Serbia 1–0 7–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
28 12 June 2015 BC Place, Vancouver, Canada   Ecuador 6–0 10–1 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
29 7–0
30 10–1
31 24 October 2015 Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena, Italy   Italy 1–0 3–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying
32 2–0
33 1 December 2015 Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel, Switzerland   Czech Republic 3–0 5–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying
34 2 March 2016 Kyocera Stadion, Den Haag, Netherlands   Netherlands 2–4 3–4 2016 UEFA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
35 9 April 2016 Tissot Arena, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland   Italy 1–0 2–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying
36 22 July 2017 De Vijverberg, Doetinchem, Netherlands   Iceland 2–1 2–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2017
37 15 September 2017 Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania   Albania 2–0 4–1 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
38 28 November 2017 Tissot Arena, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland   Albania 2–1 5–1  2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
39 3 September 2019 LIPO Park Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland   Lithuania 3–0 4–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
40 12 November 2019 LIPO Park Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland   Romania 1–0 6–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
41 2–0
42 4–0
43 18 September 2020 Ivan Laljak-Ivić Stadium, Zaprešić, Croatia   Croatia 1–1 1–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
44 17 September 2021 Stockhorn Arena, Thun, Switzerland   Lithuania 3–1 4–1 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
45 26 October 2021 Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland   Croatia 3–0 5–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
46 5–0
47 20 February 2022 Marbella Football Center, Marbella, Spain   Northern Ireland 2–1 2–2 Friendly
48 13 July 2022 Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England   Sweden 1–1 1–2 UEFA Women's Euro 2022
49 2 September 2022 Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek, Karlovac, Croatia   Croatia 1–0 2–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
50 6 September 2022 Stade de la Tuilière, Lausanne, Switzerland   Moldova 2–0 15–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
51 11 October 2022 Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland   Wales 1–1 2–1 (a.e.t.) 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA play-offs
52 21 July 2023 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand   Philippines 1–0 2–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Honours

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Umeå IK

FC Rosengård

VfL Wolfsburg

Chelsea

Paris Saint-Germain

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 – List of Players: Switzerland" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Ramona Bachmann". Paris Saint Germain. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Ramona Bachmann väljer UIK!" (in Swedish). UIK.se. 9 February 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2009. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Diego and Ramona: Switzerland's Best Footballers". Credit-suisse.com. 20 August 2009. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  5. ^ "Ramona Bachmann". Women's Professional Soccer. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Bachmann tillbaka i UIK" (in Swedish). SVT.se. 29 November 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Schweizerischer Fussballverband - SFV".
  8. ^ "Wolfsburg verpflichtet Ramona Bachmann" (in German). 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  9. ^ "Ladies sign Swiss star". Chelsea F.C. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Dream Come True for Ramona Bachmann". 5 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Ramona Bachmann s'engage avec le Paris Saint-Germain". Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  12. ^ Yang, Steph. "Dash sign Ramona Bachmann from PSG". The Athletic. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Back problem a curse for Bachmann". FIFA.com. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  14. ^ "2009: Ramona Bachmann". UEFA. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  15. ^ "Portrait". Football.ch. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  16. ^ Tony Leighton (17 September 2010). "England coach Hope Powell criticises Swiss 'diving'". BBC. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  17. ^ "Sorry Rachel. Sorry England". RamonaBachmann.ch. 18 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  18. ^ "Rachel Brown wins appeal over England red card". BBC. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Frauennati ohne Ramona Bachmann" (in German). Zisch. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "Ramona Bachmann: "Like Living in a Dream World"". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  21. ^ FIFA.com. "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ - Matches - Canada-Switzerland". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2015.
  22. ^ "Philippines - Switzerland". BBC. 23 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Swiss football star comes out as gay". Gay Star News. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  24. ^ Santschi, Stephan (9 October 2018). "Alisha Lehmann and Ramona Bachmann: inspired by love". Aargauer Zeitung. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Bachmann und Lehmann im Sturm der Liebe" (in German). Schweizer Illustrierte. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  27. ^ Loyant, Richard (4 June 2021). "Paris SG sacré pour la première fois". Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Coupe de France féminine : les Parisiennes sans pitié pour Yzeure". 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  29. ^ "LE PSG PUISSANCE 4" (in French). 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
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