Socceroo Bailey Wright’s joy turns to heartbreak at World Cup after devastating family news

Socceroos defender Bailey Wright was buzzing after playing his first World Cup minutes in a historic win for Australia – then came off the pitch to devastating news.

The Socceroos are rallying around shattered defender Bailey Wright, after the tragic news his mother-in-law passed away in the hours after Australia’s historic victory over Denmark.

In an emotional 24 hours, Wright’s ecstasy at Wednesday night’s win was almost instantly matched by the shocking text message he received minutes after full-time from wife Alexandria telling him her mother, Tammy Burrow, had taken a serious health turn.

In the middle of the team’s euphoric celebrations, Wright cut a disconsolate figure.

Choking back tears as he spoke to reporters on Wednesday, Wright dedicated the iconic victory to his mother-in-law and wife, as the Socceroos vowed to give their teammate all the support in the world.

Wright’s appearance against Denmark was his World Cup finals debut. Picture: Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

“It was, for them, a really tough time back home, but ultimately, it made this possible for me to be here and live one of my dreams so I dedicate that to Tammy,” Wright said.

By Thursday morning the cruellest news possible had been confirmed.

“He‘s devastated and as I just said to him, it’s crazy these things in life – something special happens and something gets taken away … but Bailey is OK,” said coach Graham Arnold.

“The whole team and everyone is caring for his wife but Bailey is OK.”

Fellow defender Milos Degenek said the awful heartbreak put into perspective the trivialities of fighting tooth and nail for World Cup success – and the life of a professional footballer.

Graham Arnold embraces Wright after the final whistle. Picture: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

And with that, Degenek confirmed the Socceroos ‘brotherhood’ would look after their teammate as a priority while preparing for Saturday’s Round of 16 game against Argentina.

“It‘s something that no-one wants to wish upon anyone. It’s a very hard moment for her and for him as well,” Degenek said.

“He knows that we are his second family and we are going to be behind him and anything that any of us can do, or Football Australia will do, we as a team, as a brotherhood are going to do the same.

“If any one of us can help, we will, we‘re all behind him.

“It just shows you that what we as footballers go through sometimes and what we put out there as well it‘s not just a couple of training sessions a week and a 90-minute game where 40,000 come and watch you and you get paid big dollars, it’s a lot more emotions and a lot more things are involved in football than just playing.”

Australian defender Bailey Wright celebrates victory over Denmark, before coming off the pitch to terrible news. Picture: AFP

Wright, who made his World Cup debut in the Danish triumph, came on for the final 15 minutes to protect the one-goal lead.

“This is my second World Cup and to get on is special,” he said.

“A lot of that performance and the rewards you see now has been an effort over four years of not just people that are here, lads, staff, there’s a lot that have been on this journey.

“And I guess that’s really for everyone that’s made sacrifices throughout the four years and have made this possible, and making the nation back home pretty proud. I’m sure that they’ll be having a pretty good time back home.

“(Reaching the Round of 16 is) kind of not surprising. But we know what we’re capable of.

“We like doing things the hard way, because we know we’ve got each other.”

Originally published as Socceroo Bailey Wright’s joy turns to heartbreak at World Cup after devastating family news