Sam Kerr: This is a special time in women’s football
Kerr had an eventful rehabilitation period, enduring a number of things.
Among the positives, however, was becoming a first-time mother.
Earlier this year, she and partner Kristie Mewis welcomed their son Jagger to the world.
“I think he came at the first time,” Chelsea’s star striker said. “I wasn’t playing and it kind of made me realise that football is just a game.
“I’m just going to enjoy it and play for fun because there’s bigger things in life.
“I still love football and I’m still going to run myself into the ground when I’m back, don’t worry about that, but I think it has just given me a new take on it and a new way to look at it.”
More importantly for Kerr, is that her son will grow up in an era where women’s football is on the rise with two mothers who have played an active part in its growth.
The Perth native believes this is an exciting period for the sport – one that could indicate a real turning point.
“It feels like such a special time to be part of football; when I was young, there weren’t any female players to look up to but now, kids grow up surrounded by incredible athletes across every sport,” she added in her VERSUS interview.
“To them [kids], it’s just football, no different [and] that’s a huge shift from when I was growing up and it makes me proud. As a mum, it means a lot to know my son will grow up in a world where female athletes are celebrated just as much as male athletes.
“To be part of that change, and to see that the next generation is already embracing it is really special. I think in 20 or 30 years, we’ll look back on this period as the turning point for women’s sport.”
Kerr’s return to the sport is both a professional milestone and personal triumph. Scoring her 100th goal in her first match back after nearly two years was more than a stat. It was a testament to her resilience, and a preview of the legacy that will endure long after she stops lacing her boots.
Such a comeback serves as a reminder that greatness does not fade, no matter how long an athlete spends away. It waits and it works – and when the moment comes, it delivers.