Who is Sam Kerr? The backflipping Chelsea star and WSL golden boot winner
One of women's football's biggest names made her return from ACL injury after 634 days out
From the highs of the Women's Super League (WSL) to her leadership of the Matildas, Sam Kerr has cemented her status as a global footballing icon.
Known for her record-breaking achievements, Kerr's path from Australian rules football to Chelsea legend is a testament to her journey.
But how did she get to where she is now? The Cutback is here to answer all those questions and take a deep dive into Kerr’s career so far.
Sam Kerr’s journey from Aussie rules to NWSL royalty
Sam Kerr's sporting journey didn't begin on a football pitch, it began with 'Aussie' rules football, a sport she played until she was about 12 years old. The physical demands of this game clearly fed into her current playing style, with her notable aerial ability and her not shying away from a tough tackle.
Before moving to England, Kerr played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), where she played for clubs like Sky Blue FC and Chicago Red Stars. During this time, she became the league’s all-time leading scorer and was awarded the Most Valuable Player award in both 2017 and 2019.
Making history at Chelsea
Since her arrival at Chelsea, Kerr has truly cemented herself as a club legend. She made her debut against Reading in January 2020 and scored her first goal two weeks later against Arsenal. She hasn't stopped since.
Her consistent ability to find the back of the net has earned her the WSL Golden Boot twice in 2021 and 2022. She has also represented Chelsea on the biggest stages and helped secure their five WSL titles and three FA Cups.
Some of her most notable games for Chelsea include her winning goal against Manchester United in the 2023 Women's FA Cup Final, where she performed her trademark backflip goal celebration. She also scored two vital goals in the 2022 FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The Matildas' captain and all-time top scorer
Kerr's ability doesn't stop when it comes to the WSL; she is also a national hero and captain of the Australian national team, the Matildas.
She has earned over 128 caps for the Matildas and scored 69 goals, making her the country's most prolific goalscorer, male or female. This record includes goals in multiple World Cups and Olympic tournaments.
Return from injury and a landmark goal
After a long and challenging period on the sidelines with an ACL injury suffered in early 2024, Kerr has since made her much-anticipated return to the pitch. Following an extensive rehabilitation period, she made her comeback in Chelsea’s WSL opener against Aston Villa, scoring her 100th goal for the Blues. Talk about a comeback.
A new partnership with Alyssa Thompson
Kerr now has a new face to play alongside at Chelsea, Alyssa Thompson, making the Blues' attacking line-up even stronger. Despite their on-pitch partnership still being very new, the potential is huge.
Kerr’s finishing ability and intelligent movement will only be complemented by Thompson’s fast pace and technical ability, something Chelsea women’s manager Sonia Bompastor and the Blues fans will be excited to watch grow as the season progresses.