Elisa Malin Senß (born 1 October 1997) is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga F club Real Madrid and the Germany national team.[2]

Club career

Senß is a youth academy graduate of SV Meppen. In May 2019, she joined SGS Essen on a two-year deal until June 2021.[3] During her first season, Senß started 20 of 22 games in the league and played the entire 120 minutes of the DFB-Pokal final which Essen lost to Wolfsburg.[4][5] Senß partook in 21 matches the following year and scored her first league goal for the club against her old club Meppen in a 3–1 victory.[6][7] On 14 April 2021, she signed a contract extension with the club until June 2023.[8] By the end of the 2021–22 season, Senß had played 62 league games for Essen, with four goals in the Bundesliga and three in the German cup.[9]

On 23 May 2022, Bayer Leverkusen announced the signing of Senß on a three-year deal until June 2025.[10] She was named as team's new captain in September 2022 and became a consistent performer — playing the eighth-most minutes of any Bundesliga player in 2022–23 — as Leverkusen finished fifth.[11][12][13] Senß featured in 21 matches the following campaign, one that Leverkusen ended sixth overall.[14][15]

On 11 March 2024, Eintracht Frankfurt announced the signing of Senß on a three-year contract, effective from July 2024.[16][17] In 2024–25, Frankfurt finished third in the league, with Senß playing a pivotal role: she was the player with the fourth-most won tackles in the division, became an offensive threat with three goals and four assists, and became part of a midfield duo alongside Lisanne Gräwe.[18][19] On 14 May 2026, Eintracht Frankfurt announced the departure of Senß after two seasons with the club.[20]

On 11 June 2026, Senß joined Liga F side Real Madrid on a contract running until 2030.[21]

International career

Senß made her international debut for Germany on 1 December 2023 in a 3–0 win against Denmark.[22] In July 2024, Senß was named in the squad for the 2024 Olympics.[23] She won the Goal of the Month award in Germany for her volley against Zambia during the tournament, which was her first goal for the national team.[24] The following year, Senß took part in the 2025 Euros.[25][26] Playing alongside Sjoeke Nüsken as part of a double pivot, Senß helped Germany to reach the semi-final.[27]

Playing style

The holding midfielder has been described as a "tackling machine" by Der Spiegel and as a "small helper", owing to her short stature, by Sportschau.[28][26]

Sometimes I am also underestimated physically. That's just my playing style, which my opponents don't account for, so I can surprise them.

— Senß in 2025 commenting on her robust style of play[29]

Personal life

Senß used to work as a medical assistant at Essen University Hospital when she was a SGS Essen player.[30] She considers Lionel Messi as her idol.[31]