Above: Sam Kerr arriving to Cardiff. Photo: via Commbank Matildas
By Callum Logie (25/10/2025)
Sam Kerr has announced her intention to return to a leadership role for the Matildas upon her return to the squad after nearly two years out from an ACL injury.
Speaking to the press in Cardiff ahead of the Matilda’s upcoming friendly against Wales, Kerr spoke about her passion for the team and how she feels she has a lot to give to the side in a leadership role.
“On being the captain, of course I still feel really passionate about that,” said Kerr.
“I have so much more to give this team in a leadership role. This team here will make football decisions, and I feel like football-wise, I’m one of the best leaders in the team. I feel really passionate and proud that I’ve been in that position before, and hopefully continue forward.”
Arsenal’s Steph Catley has taken the captain’s armband during Kerr’s absence and has done an admirable job leading the team for that near two year period. Coach Joe Montemurro indicated that bringing Kerr back into the squad will be at the same gradual pace that her club side Chelsea has been implementing since her return.
Kerr spoke candidly about her recovery period for the injury, sharing about the mental struggles of working through such a level of rehabilitation, especially when receiving treatment for a previous undiagnosed injury.
“I struggled a little bit in the first nine months with a few setbacks,” Kerr said.
“As an athlete, you go up and down in self-belief and self-doubt when you’re injured. It’s hard to be away from the game.”
Being the competitive leader she has always been, Kerr has expressed frustration toward her limited minutes with Chelsea upon her return, indicating that she was eager to contribute more now that she was able to play again.
“I’ve come back from my injury, but there’s a year-and-a-half of no football behind me, so it’s been quite frustrating because I want to play as many minutes as possible, but there have been people a lot smarter than me holding me back a little bit,” Kerr said.
“I’m definitely not 90-minute fit. I think I’ve got about 70 minutes in me. That’s what I would say. Every day, every session is helpful for me, because I’ve had a year-and-a-half out of football, so I just need more sessions, more game time. I’m fully fit, but I’m about 70-80 per cent game fit.”
Kerr was pleased with her reintegration into the Matilda’s set-up indicating that coach Joe Montemurro allowed her to come back into the squad and play with the group on her terms.
“I’ve just come in and the only meetings I’ve attended, which has been really nice to be honest, have been the team meetings. I think everyone is just giving me space to just come back and enjoy myself and be free, come back in and play football.” Kerr said.
While eager to get involved in the friendly on Sunday, next year’s Asian Cup remains the key focus for Kerr and the Matildas.
“I’ve had a long time out of football, and the Asian Cup is the most important thing to me coming up, so there’s no need to rush it,” she said.
“The Asian Cup is so important. When I last won it, I was a young 16-year-old kid, so I didn’t even really get to experience what it actually was like. Looking back, I was living my dream without even knowing it, so it would be good to hopefully lift the trophy. It would be a dream come true.”
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