Kristie Mewis, rival US soccer girlfriend of Sam Kerr, reveals her very intimate tribute to Kerr after the Aussie superstar pulled out of the Matildas World Cup opener.

Sam Kerr was a disappointing late withdrawal from the Matildas Women’s World Cup opener against Ireland on Thursday.

But his girlfriend, American soccer star Kristie Mewis, tried to cheer Sam up by revealing a very intimate detail of her own body.

The 32-year-old Gotham FC midfielder took to Instagram to share a bikini photo while tanning poolside and revealed a small tattoo reading “Baby” on her inner thigh.

Referencing a photo of Mewis’ football boots, Kerr commented that he “didn’t make the boots.”

Mewis gave the cheeky response, ‘you made my thigh’, before adding a winking emoji.

Steph Catley has excelled as captain in the injury-enforced absence of Sam Kerr to give the Matildas a 1-0 win over Ireland in their opener of the Women’s World Cup.

Australia’s campaign suffered a major blow when Kerr was ruled out of Thursday night’s game and the subsequent game against Nigeria with a calf injury sustained in the final training session on Wednesday.

According to Football Australia, the Chelsea striker will be assessed after Matildas’ second Group B game against Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27.

Vice-captain Catley wore the armband and stepped up on 52 minutes to take a penalty after Hayley Raso was brought down, coolly sending the winning penalty into the top corner to send Stadium Australia into raptures.

The sellout crowd of 75,784 was a new record for Matildas on home soil.

The 32-year-old Gotham FC midfielder {right]took to Instagram to share a bikini photo while tanning poolside and revealed a small tattoo reading “Baby” on her inner thigh. In the photo with Sam

Mewis gave the cheeky Instagram response, ‘you made my thigh’, before adding a winking emoji

It is understood that Sam and Kristie started dating almost three years ago.

Sam and Kristie are known to have started dating almost three years ago, when photos surfaced of them getting closer after a match between Australia and the United States at the Tokyo Olympics.

One of the most powerful couples in women’s sports knows how to keep the spark alive when it comes to a long-distance relationship, and she loves to share that spark with fans, friends, and other soccer stars.

We are not private people. I like to share my story. I like to share who I am outside of football. Soccer is 5 per cent of my life,” Kerr told British publication Gaffer earlier this year.

Australia have won their first World Cup match with a gutsy 1-0 win

“We set little milestones and make time during the week where we watch the same show and FaceTime or have dinner together or something. But it’s difficult.

“I think what keeps us going is that we can see an end point. We both just want each other to do well in our careers. I don’t think you can be in a long distance relationship with someone who doesn’t understand the sport.

Mewis said it was special for the couple to be role models for gay women who do not come out for fear of homophobic abuse or rejection by society.

“I think just going out there and being two girls in love, I think if we can change one or two people’s lives and the way they feel about each other and how comfortable they feel, then that means a lot to me. I love sharing my relationship on social media,’ said the American star.

The hosts endured a frustrating first half with Ireland defending resolutely