Matildas winger Cortnee Vine reveals mental health struggles following World Cup fame

Matildas winger Cortnee Vine has revealed the reason why she has withdrawn herself from a second national team camp. ERIN SMITH has the story.

Seconds was all it took for Cortnee Vine to go from unknown to national hero and the speedy winger has revealed the new found fame following her famous World Cup penalty kick has up-ended her life.

The 26-year-old has bravely spoken out about her mental health struggles following months of speculation about her health and wellbeing.

She became a household name when she struck the penalty that sent Australia through to its first World Cup semi-final at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Vine, who won the A-League’s Women’s title with Sydney FC earlier this year, signed a new contract with NWSL club North Carolina Courage.

Cortnee Vine with the A-League Womens’ trophy. Picture: Getty Images

But post the tough Paris Olympics campaign Vine has hardly played.

She withdrew herself from the last Matildas camp and was not named in the extended 36-woman squad for the upcoming international window.

Vine issued a statement via her agent’s Instagram account to provide an explanation.

“I’m sure many people can appreciate that my life has dramatically changed over the past two years,” Vine said.

“Due to these very new and sometimes overwhelming experiences I’ve discovered that identifying managing and prioritising my mental health has become something I have needed to work very hard on.

“Like many who face mental health challenges I have my good days and my difficult ones but every day is a lesson in learning to find the right balance.

“For now I need to focus on taking care of myself which is why I am taking some time off.

I truly appreciate everyone’s support and concern and I’m confident I’ll return stronger than ever.”

It is not the first time Vine has spoken about her mental health struggles.

In the lead up to the World Cup Vine told Code Sports she almost gave football up all together.

Vine had been in and around the Future Matildas squad but when she aged out of the under-20s she didn’t get a call up into the senior squad.

“I think in sport you go up and down. There was a bit of a low patch where I didn’t know if this is what I wanted to pursue any more,” Vine said at the time.

“I was just kind of going through the motions with it and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and with football at that point – it was probably the lowest point where I just was really weighing up what do I do – quit.

“Then what would I do if I did quit, because I didn’t really know what else I liked.

“I was in a really low point in life as well, like in my anything else other than football mentality.”

With the help of a sports psychologist through the Future Matildas Program Vine fell in love with the sport again – delivering a breakout performance at the World Cup.

Originally published as Matildas winger Cortnee Vine reveals mental health struggles following World Cup fame