Chelsea forward and Australian superstar Sam Kerr has been a big-time name in the soccer world for many years. At this point, I can only imagine her trophy case is overflowing. From an FA Cup Championship with Chelsea to being crowned the Best International Women’s Soccer Player at the ESPY Awards, she’s done alright for herself, to say the least.
On Tuesday, Kerr added to her list of accolades, and this might just be the most gratifying one yet. Just in time for Australia Day on Wednesday, Kerr was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her services to football. She’s indisputably one of the best players in the game today and has taken the Matildas from ground level to the most prestigious world stages.
Sam Kerr has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to football! 🎖
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 25, 2022
Congratulations, @SamKerr1! 👏 pic.twitter.com/4inaLD9DTM
Most recently, the Matildas finished fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, delivering some impressive performances along the way. Last week, Kerr became Australia’s all-time leading international goalscorer, passing Tim Cahill.
Sam Kerr is on fire and at the top of her game. She’s a joy to watch with a spirit, tenacity, and skill level so high it makes you think she must have popped out of the womb with cleats on, her wispy baby hair slicked back in a tight ponytail while declaring to her parents she was destined to be one of the top female soccer players in the world. She would have been right.
Sam Kerr didn’t always have her sights set on football
The reality is, Kerr was far more interested in battling it out with the boys on the rugby pitch as a child. Despite her initial apathy in regards to soccer, she made her national team debut at 15 years old and she’s been writing her impressive story in the women’s soccer book at record speed ever since.
Sam Kerr has every intention of continuing to justify her receipt of the Order of Australia Medal by inspiring generations of young athletes and helping them get the resources they need to thrive. She may be every defender’s worst nightmare, but she’s a gift to the game and has made the soccer world better by being a part of it.