Sam's Story
Fast Facts
Sport: Football
Event: Women's
Olympic History: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020
Coach: Tony Gustavsson
Year Born: 1993
State Born: Western Australia
About Sam
Lauded as one of the greatest footballers of her generation, Sam Kerr’s list of accolades is extensive.
She is the only Australian footballer, male or female to make the Ballon D’or shortlist - and to think Sam almost wasn’t a footballer at all.
The dual Olympian’s footballing journey started in East Fremantle, Perth with an oval-shaped ball.
Sam followed in the footsteps of her father and brother, Roger and Daniel, in playing AFL. When she was 12 years-old she was forced out of the game due to the physicality.
The youngster was only able to play against boys, with no pathways or opportunities for girls at the time, so Sam took up football for the Western Knights at Mosman Park.
It wasn’t long before those around her identified her prowess on the pitch, and at 15 years-old Sam made her W-League debut for Perth Glory in 2008.
The striker's senior international debut came the following year in 2009. Appearances would follow for her country at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournaments, along with the 2011, 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups.
Sam also took the time to play in the United States for the Western New York Flash (2013-14), Sky Blue FC (2015-17) and the Chicago Red Stars (2018-19).
Her Olympic debut at Rio 2016 was the scene of her first Olympic goal, scored against Germany in the group stage.
Unfortunately for the Matildas, their Olympic dreams came crashing down in a quarter-final penalty shootout against the hosts, Brazil.
In the 2018-19 W-League season, she became Australia’s first female football marquee signing with the Perth Glory.
She finished the season as the league's leading goal-scorer with 17 goals, equating to an average of more than one goal per game, leading her team to the W-League Grand Final against Sydney FC.
Sam's hard work and determination culminated in being named captain of the Matildas in 2019. She led the Matildas through the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup where she became the first Australian, male or female to score a hat-trick at a World Cup.
Their run ended in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout separated them from a deadlock with Norway.
The Matildas' heart-breaking loss did not shy away international teams from chasing Sam's signature, with many vying for her unique brand of football to bolster their squads.
In November of 2019 the Western Australian became the highest-paid Australian women’s footballer when she signed a two and a half-year deal worth $2,000,000 with Chelsea FC in the European Women's Super League (WSL).
She has been nominated for every Ballon D'or award since its inception in 2018. Sam finished third in the voting in 2021 after a stellar Olympic campaign and a sensational season with Chelsea FC.
At Tokyo 2020 Sam and the Matildas made all of Australia proud in putting together a historic achievement.
Their fourth place finish, which was nearly a podium finish after a 4-3 loss to the USA in the bronze medal game, is the highest ever finish by the Matildas at an Olympic Games.
Sam scored her record-breaking 48th goal for the Matildas at Tokyo 2020 and has gone on to surpass Tim Cahill as Australia's most prolific international goal scorer of all-time.
The Matildas captain scored 20 goals in the 2021-22 WSL season, six more than anyone else, to earn the WSL Golden Boot for a second time and WSL Player of the Season. At the 2022 English Football Writers' awards night, Sam took out the top honour to hold the title of the best player in England.
The awards joined a list of her other accolades such as becoming the Professional Footballer's Association's Women’s Footballer of the Year, three ESPYs for Best International Women’s Soccer Player, the Order of Australia medal and Young Australian of the Year.
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