‘Dark day’: Football fans shattered by Sam Kerr news

Football fans woke to some horror news about Matildas superstar Sam Kerr on Monday morning, sending them in a spiral.

Australia women’s football star Sam Kerr faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Chelsea’s warm-weather training camp in Morocco.

Kerr will now begin rehabilitation with the London club’s medical team and her absence will be a huge blow to the Blues as they bid for a fifth successive English Women’s Super League title.

Matildas captain Kerr has scored four goals in eight games for WSL leaders Chelsea this season, while finding the net five times in four European Champions League appearances.

Kerr, who has scored 99 goals in 128 career games for Chelsea, will now be assessed by a specialist before beginning a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

A club statement issued Sunday said: “Everyone at Chelsea would like to wish Sam the very best for her recovery.”

Fans took it terribly. “What do you mean Sam Kerr injured her ACL, what do you mean?!?!” one wrote on X. “Like what do you actually mean?!?! It’s a dark day for women’s football.”

Sam Kerr arrives prior to a match between Bristol City and Chelsea on December 17. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

It is a particularly crushing blow for Australian fans with Kerr needing a miracle to recover in time for the Matildas’ Olympics campaign in Paris this year.

The Matildas have not officially ruled Kerr out of their Olympics campaign, which begins July 26.

The best case scenario for recoveries from typical ACL surgeries is six months. It is more common for athletes to need 9-12 months on the sidelines before being able to make a full comeback.

The Matildas have only ruled Kerr out from featuring in the team’s Round 3 Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan on February 24 and February 28.

Calling in sick to work today. Reason: heartbreak after hearing about Sam Kerr’s ACL. 💔

— Georgie Parker (@georgieparker) January 7, 2024

Coach Tony Gustavsson described the injury as an “incredible loss” for the team.

“Considering how hard Sam has worked over the past six months to return to play, this news is a devastating blow for everyone,” Gustavsson said.

“With her ability to lead by example, Sam’s guidance and influence on the team is significant and, as a result, this will be an incredible loss for the national team.

“Our focus now is on ensuring she has all the support she wants and needs to navigate recovery and rehab,” Gustavsson concluded.

The Aussie captain also missed most of the 2023 World Cup in Australia with a calf injury.

Kerr featured in Australia’s recent Olympic qualifying matches on home soil, but skipped the Matildas’ series against Canada, the team’s final friendlies of the year.

It has suddenly hit home for Chelsea fans that the star goal-scorer may never play for the club again.

Kerr’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Sam Kerr celebrates her goal during the AFC Women's Asian Olympic Qualifier match against Chinese Taipei in Perth. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images.

A Chelsea supporter’s profile on X with more than 600,000 followers posted: “Gutted about Sam Kerr’s injury. Really hope she signs a new deal as it would be devastating if she didn’t play for the club again”.

It has been a rollercoaster year for Kerr, who celebrated her engagement with partner Kristie Mewis in September.

The couple kept the news secret for two months before finally confirming their happy news with photos shared on Instagram.

American Mewis recently announced her decision to join West Ham in the Women’s Super League — a move that would allow her to live with Kerr in London.

Sam Kerr is out for an extended period after an injury setback.

Kerr and Mewis went public with their relationship in 2021 after the Tokyo Olympics.

Since joining in 2019, Kerr has helped Chelsea win four WSL titles, three FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups, and the Women’s Community Shield in 2020.

Kerr, the 2023 Ballon d’Or runner-up scored the only goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup final.

She was a key figure up front for Chelsea during the 2022/23 campaign after fellow forwards Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder suffered long-term injuries.

Kerr featured in 21 out of Chelsea’s 22 WSL fixtures last season, with her final-day goal double in a 3-0 win at Reading helping secure another title for the Blues.

Chelsea currently sit top of the table, three points above Manchester City.

– with AFP