'THEY SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR ME'

As the Aussie skipper returns to the Matildas line-up, she credits her family with her incredible success

It's been a tough few weeks for Matildas captain Sam Kerr ever since she was ruled out of their opening World Cup game on July 20 after sustaining a calf injury in training.

But Sam's determination to rejoin the Tillies as they head into the knockout stages of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup tournament has been a proud time for her family as they watch on.

"[Mum and I] have always been extremely close and, growing up, she was my best friend. My dad, too. He taught me everything I know about sport," Sam, 29, wrote in her book My Journey To The World Cup. "I wouldn't be where I am today without them. They sacrificed everything for me."

The family of six from Fremantle, WA, have always been very sporty - dad Roger was a professional AFL player, her brother Daniel played for the West Coast Eagles, and her grandfather was a featherweight boxer in India - so it wasn't. a surprise when Sam took up soccer in her early teens.