The Matildas captured the heart of the nation last year when the team came fourth in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but 2024 has already got off to a less positive start.
In a devastating blow for Aussie soccer fans, the Matildas star striker Sam Kerr is set to miss the Paris Olympics after tearing her ACL. The injury took place during Chelsea’s warm weather training camp in Morocco.
According to The Australian, Kerr will begin rehabilitation with the Chelsea team in London.
This is bad news for both Chelsea and the Matildas who are playing Uzbekistan next month in a bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
“Considering how hard Sam has worked over the past six months to return to play, this news is a devastating blow for everyone,” Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said.
“With her ability to lead by example, Sam’s guidance and influence on the team is significant and, as a result, this will be an incredible loss for the national team.
“Our focus now is on ensuring she has all the support she wants and needs to navigate recovery and rehab.”
On platform X, the website previously known as Twitter, fans were devastated by the news.
“It’s a dark day for women’s football,” one fan Tweeted.
what do you mean sam kerr injured her acl, what do you mean?!?! like what do you actually mean?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it’s a dark day for women’s football🫠🫠 pic.twitter.com/3355dbbe0t
— NS❤️🤍 (@nebularsmusic) January 7, 2024
Another commented that it sucks for women’s sport in ‘general’.
It’s difficult for me to celebrate Man City’s 5 goals and clean sheet win today, when we got this Sam Kerr news. Not even a Chelsea fan it just sucks for the sport and the women’s game in general. pic.twitter.com/uyZg3O8m0o
— Samantha 🫧 (@shadesofkaylor) January 7, 2024
The news is also bad news for both Network 10 and Nine. Currently, Network 10 owns the rights to Women’s Soccer and will be streaming the Uzbekistan game. Meanwhile, Nine owns the rights for the Olympics, if the Matildas make it through the qualifiers.
The Matildas rewrote the history books last year with a total of 11.5 million Australians watching the game.
