SAM KERR’S CENTURY OF GLORY: Chelsea FC Women’s Star Breaks Down in Tears as She’s Honoured with Special Football for 100 Goals
- Sam Kerr overcome with emotion as she receives handcrafted football marking her 100 goals for Chelsea FC Women
- Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor reveals Kerr is “like a new person” after achieving the milestone, saying she’s been smiling non-stop since
- Kerr’s remarkable journey to 100 goals includes a stunning lobbed finish against Arsenal and a remarkable volley-on-the-turn against Manchester United
- The Australian superstar’s next outing is expected to be on Sunday against Leicester, as she continues her road to full recovery from injury
Chelsea FC Women’s star Sam Kerr was visibly moved to tears as she was presented with a special, handcrafted football to mark her 100 goals for the English champions. The 31-year-old Australian striker, who recently made a triumphant return from 634 days out with injury, was overwhelmed with emotion as she received the unique ball, which features each of her 100 goals carefully marked on its panels.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Kerr said, her voice trembling with gratitude. “You know, 100 goals, it feels amazing. Honestly. I mean, I love playing for this club.” The football, crafted by Perth-based artist and Chelsea fan Emily Hessell, was a touching tribute to Kerr’s incredible achievement, with each panel detailing the minute, opponent, and date of every goal she’s scored for Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was thrilled to see Kerr “officially back” and beaming with confidence. “Sam has been great. She’s been smiling from last Sunday. It’s so important for her confidence, for her morale. I think she’s like a new person. All these months were tough, and that’s over now. It’s been the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Kerr’s remarkable journey to 100 goals includes a stunning lobbed finish against Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup final in December 2021 and a remarkable volley-on-the-turn against Manchester United that sealed the WSL title a few months later. “The relief I felt scoring my first goal for Chelsea to the relief I felt on the weekend are pretty similar,” she reflected. “Someone interviewed me after the game and asked who writes my scripts, and it was just like, funny, because I feel like I’m just lucky.”
As Kerr prepares for her next outing on Sunday against Leicester, Bompastor warned that the Australian superstar might still not be at 100 per cent, saying she’s “probably not ready to start a game”. However, with Kerr’s enthusiasm and dedication to training, the Chelsea manager is confident that her star player will continue to shine. “She’s someone you have to tell her to go slowly, to stop her a bit, because she’s so excited and wants to be on the pitch as much as possible, which we understand. We have to be careful with her still.”