When you think of Australian football, Sam Kerr is a name you can’t forget.
The 30-year-old Australian captain has led the Matildas through an awe-inspiring campaign that has seen women’s soccer in Australia become bigger than ever.
But as we gear up to support our girls in gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics – Kerr’s absence from the field will be clear.
Will Sam Kerr be in the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Australian captain Sam Kerr will not be joining the Matildas for the Olympics.
Unlike her injury that ruled her out of the start of the Women’s World Cup (to which she joined in for later games), this time Sam has been officially ruled out of the whole competition.
Sam sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Chelsea’s training camp in Morocco back in January and has been sidelined since, so there were already doubts regarding her involvement at the Paris Summer Games.
“Attacker Amy Sayer (ACL) and forward Sam Kerr (ACL) remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries,” the Australian FA said in a statement.
“Kerr and Sayer will continue their rehabilitation programmes in their home club environments and subsequently will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
Stepping into the role of Captain for the Olympics is defender Steph Catley. The 30-year-old who also plays for Arsenal will be playing in her third Olympics.
With Australia’s key striker now sidelined due to injury, all eyes are on 21-year-old Mary Fowler, who will be competing in her second Games.
“The first one (Olympic Games) was a bit different because I wasn’t expecting it and it was a childhood dream of mine to go to the Olympics, so I was in tears that I had achieved that,” Fowler told AAP. “This time around, I’m just more tournament-based, football-based.
“I want to go there and I want to win, and I want to help the team as much as I can. I feel like I’m able to help out more compared to the last time when I was more of a bench player.”
The team kick off their Olympic Campaign against Germany in Marseille on Friday, July 26 (AEST), before they head to Nice to play Zambia on Monday, July 29 (AEST).
