‘I know he’s still there for me’: Late Dad’s soundtrack to keep Matildas’ comeback queen Michelle Heyman smiling in Paris

John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It is the music that will create a very special soundtrack for Matildas’ veteran Michelle Heyman at the Paris Olympic Games.

Michelle Heyman will be playing with the spirit of her Dad in Paris. Picture: Andy Cheung/Getty Images

Michelle Heyman will take a deep breath and slip on headphones for the Matildas’ bus trip to Stade de Marseilles for their crucial opening game of the Paris Olympics.

She will listen to the music of John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival Band. She knows every word to every song on her playlist.

These were her old man’s favourite tunes.

The 36-year-old Heyman was in the Matildas, out of the Matildas, retired from football, wrestling with her mental health, dipping her toe into amateur football again, happy as a clam once more, and now she’s made an extraordinary return to the Australian side.

Sam Kerr’s involvement is a distant memory.

💬 "I've never been in a stadium that’s been this full supporting Australia. It's a wonderful feeling"

After scoring four goals, Michelle Heyman talks about playing in front of a full house & her special goal celebration! ✌️#Matildas#TilitsDone#AllezAUS#Paris2024pic.twitter.com/pSwc5IGZWk

— Matildas (@TheMatildas) March 7, 2024

Heyman proved in the Olympic qualifiers she has enough X-factor, opportunism and pure attacking instincts to give the Matildas what they desperately need at the Games. Goals and lots of ’em.

First stop, the team bus. A bit of Credence. A bit of Fogerty from his solo days.

The soulful, rough-around-the edges, guitar-twanging soundtrack to her comeback.

“A little extra push” from her late father, David, who died in 2019.

Heyman will play with the spirit of her Dad in Paris. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“He was my biggest supporter,” she said. “Before every game he would call up and say, ‘Get a goal for Daddy’.

“Sometimes my mum was like, ‘Can you score a goal for me?!’ But she thinks it’s really sweet.

“I still hear his voice every time I’m walking on the field. I love listening to his music. I know every single song off by heart.

“My favourite is John Fogerty’s Joy Of My Life. It’s a love song. It’s very cute. It brings back great memories from when I was a little kid. And I know he’s still there for me.”

From Joy of My Life: “Just take me by the hand, I am the luckiest man alive. Did I tell you, baby? You are the joy of my life.”

After scoring four goals in the Olympic qualifier against Uzbekistan in February, Heyman spoke deeply about her pursuit of happiness. Playing with a massive smile on her dial. She was still no certainty to be chosen for the Games, but at the time made it clear “I’m not letting that spot go, mate”.

Heyman after scoring one of her four goals against Uzbekistan. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Heyman was true to her word.

The Matildas’ first game against World No. 4 Germany at Marerseilles on Friday (3am AEST) is pivotal.

Win and the Matildas are on their way to the next round. Rocking all over the world. Lose and they may struggle to get out of their group. Bad moon rising.

“My attitude is, ‘Let’s just go for it,” Heyman said. “We have so much quality and we want to fight for each other.

“We’ve got to go out there, follow the game plan and also have some flair and bring our own individual brilliance to the field. Everyone wants to come home with a medal around their neck.

“That’s what we’re going to be fighting for. We want to do it for our country and all our loved ones. I’m doing this for myself and my family. It’s an amazing feeling to have that kind of power for yourself. This is everything to me.”

Originally published as ‘I know he’s still there for me’: Late Dad’s soundtrack to keep Matildas’ comeback queen Michelle Heyman smiling in Paris