Ex-Matilda Melissa Barbieri unloads on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has copped a withering spray from a former Matildas star over his World Cup public holiday call.

The Matildas, women’s football and women’s sport in general is riding a wave of optimism and patriotism during this FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Australian team’s surge into the quarterfinals on home soil has resulted in record ratings, huge crowds and mountains of positive press.

Even the somewhat controversial handling of Sam Kerr’s calf muscle injury hasn’t dampened overall spirits and enthusiasm for the event.

Hayley Raso and Emily van Egmond celebrate during Australia’s victory over Denmark at the Women's World Cup. (Photo by Damian Briggs/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It’s the first men’s or women’s World Cup held in this part of the world and the Matildas face France in Brisbane on Saturday for a chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

As most politicians do during these opportunities, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has jumped well and truly onboard.

The Labor leader did his best to channel Bob Hawke when he floated the idea of a public holiday if the Matildas make it to the final on Sunday, August 20, presumably referring to the following Monday.

Hawke of course famously stated back in 1983 “any boss who sacks anyone today for not turning up is a bum” after Australia became the first country to beat the US in the America’s Cup yacht race.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.

“Public holidays are up to state and territory leaders,” Albanese said on 2Day FM radio on Monday, using slightly less memorable words.

“But, you know what, we’ve got a national cabinet coming up next week.

“I’ll be clearly putting the argument and I reckon they’ll fold like tents. They will go one after the other.

“Because if we can get there, that would be remarkable.”

Rather than folding like chairs, Albanese actually got a very mixed response to his suggestion from some of the state premiers and fellow politicians.

Albanese keeps talking about this freaking public holiday
How about you just frucking fund our sport properly 😢
35 weeks to play ALeague for a minimum $25k for a female which most are on is not ok.
Coaches on min 💵 .. worse if you’re female… worse if you need food or petrol

— Melissa Barbieri OLY (@Bubs_11) August 9, 2023

One former Matildas star has also used the opportunity to slam the prime minister over funding for football in this country.

“Albanese keeps talking about this freaking public holiday,” former Australian goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri wrote on Twitter.

“How about you just f**king fund our sport properly.

“35 weeks to play ALeague for a minimum $25k for a female which most are on is not ok.

“Coaches on min (wage) .. worse if you’re female… worse if you need food or petrol.”

Barbieri, 43, appeared at four World Cups for Australia in an 86-match career between the posts.

Barbieri (far right) following Australia’s clash with Japan at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup semi-final match at Hindmarsh Stadium. Photo: News Limited

She is also Melbourne City’s starting keeper and was awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association’s highest honour last month, the Alex Tobin Medal.

Barbieri is only the second female after Cheryl Salisbury to receive the award, sitting alongside the likes of Craig Johnston, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.

In an article on the official PFA website on June 29 last year, it stated the minimum wage for players in the Women’s A-League was rising from $16,344 (2021/22) to $20,608 (2022/23) and then to $25,000 in 2023/24.

A new five-year collective bargaining agreement was signed in 2021. Over that period, the lowest amount overall that an A-League Women’s club can spend on players is rising from $294,000 to $390,000 by the end of the five-year deal.

Originally published as Ex-Matilda Melissa Barbieri unloads on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese