When news first broke that Sam Kerr would miss at least the opening two matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup due to a calf injury, nobody was more heartbroken than the Matildas skipper herself.
Thankfully, behind the scenes Sam, 29, has had her supportive partner, and fellow athlete, Kristie Mewis, to lean on.
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Sources tell New Idea that the US star midfielder, 32, is very much the secret weapon to Sam getting back on the field.
Kristie is currently in Auckland, where the American team is based for the Cup. But from the second she heard about Sam’s injury, she has been working around the clock to keep her spirits up.
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“When it comes to loved-up sporting couples, it doesn’t get much better than these two!” one football insider tells New Idea.
“Kristie knows the highs and lows of professional sport and will be encouraging Sam to remain upbeat and save the tears for the precious hours they speak on the phone every day.”
Sam and Kristie first hooked up during the pandemic before going public at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Though the pair are known for their very public displays of affection, it’s not all been smooth-sailing.
Not long after becoming an official couple, they found themselves embroiled in a messy love triangle involving Sam’s ex, Nikki Stanton, another American soccer star.
At the time Sam gave an interview with the Daily Telegraph, insisting she’d simply “fallen out of love” with Nikki after seven years together.
“Thankfully everyone, including Nikki, has moved on, and in a way, it’s a good thing she’s not in the US team – that could’ve been very awkward!” adds our insider.
For Perth-born Sam it’s all about getting back to the sport she loves.
“Sam’s calf injury created more headlines than the actual game – she’s a true national treasure!
“She’s racing the clock to be fit in time, but if she’s not 100 percent, she won’t compromise the team – they always come first. She’d be heartbroken not being able to run on with them,” continues the source.
“She’ll do everything from the sidelines to make sure the girls know they can do it without her.”
While Sam plays in the UK for Chelsea, and Kristie for the Houston Dash in the American league, they’ve managed in just a few short years to become one of the most influential power couples in women’s sport.
“Don’t underestimate behind the scenes just how hard Kristie is working on getting Sam back in the mix – she knows how much it means to her,” adds the source.
“Ultimately, if the Matildas do indeed end up playing the US then we can expect yet another sold-out crowd and a TV ratings bonanza – along with plenty of fireworks both on and off the field!”
