Matildas captain Sam Kerr refuses to believe her Olympic dream is completely dead, but if she can’t play on the field she may still have a huge role to play off it.
The Chelsea striker suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on a hot-weather training camp in Morocco in early January, all but ruling her out of the Matildas Paris Olympic campaign.
Australia will play its group matches in Marseille and Nice and open its Olympic campaign against Germany on July 25 at the Marseille Stadium.
It typically takes six to nine months to recover from an ACL tear, but professional athletes typically take longer to regain their strength and fitness.
That means Kerr would have to defy medical history to have any chance of playing for the Matildas.
Sam Kerr is the Matildas’ captain and main forward, but will almost certainly miss the Paris Olympics through injury.
Kerrs loves the bond he has with his teammates and the camaraderie they enjoy even when playing against each other at the club level.
Some possibilities have been suggested, such as keeping Kerr on the bench for as long as possible and possibly deploying her for a brief cameo if Australia makes the medal rounds.
It has also been suggested that Kerr could be used as a specialist penalty taker if he cannot play but can strike with his uninjured leg.
Now, Kerr has revealed the reality that she will play any role in the Paris camp, and the news is not good for Matildas fans.
“Realistically, the Olympics probably won’t be there, but I’m still trying to push myself to get there as soon as possible,” he said in an interview with fashion magazine.
“It’s probably too soon (for the Olympics), but I’m trying hard every day to be as strong as I can, as fit as I can be and get back to playing my best football.”
Kerr (pictured with fiancee Kristie Mewis) knows he can’t play forever and has begun to consider what he will do when his career on the field ends.
The Chelsea forward hopes to stay in the sport and is considering taking up training
During his time off the pitch, Kerr has been able to reflect on what the next chapter of his life holds, including the aspirations his football career put on hold.
For starters, he’s been able to dedicate more time to his Sam Kerr Football initiative.
This foundation aims to provide all children with opportunities to forge careers in sport and in-depth guidance on physical wellbeing to produce the Matildas and Socceroos of the future.
“It’s really nice for me to give back to the community and give things to the community that I didn’t necessarily have growing up,” Kerr said.
One thing is certain: Kerr’s future beyond his game will surely remain in the sport he loves.
She’s not sure what her future role will be, but she mentioned that getting her coaching license is a real possibility.
Kerr (pictured with fiancee Kristie Mewis) can pursue her great love outside of football after her playing days: music.
Matildas fans hope the Australian captain still has many quality years on the field before she hangs up her boots.
Kerr has also been forced to mentor the Matildas due to injury, so she is developing her skills for a future in football beyond playing.
“I’m a person who lives in the moment and I want to continue playing as long as I can,” he said.
“I still have a lot of years ahead of me and I still want to play. While I was injured, I realized that I would love to do something that would keep me in the game.
“I don’t know in what aspect, maybe I’ll get my coaching license, but I’d love to stay in the game.” “My passion for the game is something I would love to continue doing.”
There is also another option: to follow the career Kerr has dreamed of outside of football and become a DJ.
That could even start at the Paris Olympics, where Kerr could become the Matildas’ resident DJ at the Olympic Village.
“I can’t sing, but I love putting on a show for people, so maybe I’ll be a DJ,” he said of life after football.
‘If I could do something and be the best at it, I would love to be a singer. I love getting on stage and performing for people… but I can’t sing, so I don’t stand a chance.’