Gay Matildas star Emily Gielnik has revealed the heartbreaking reason why she stayed in the closet for many years in a decision she said led to 'a lot of dark times'.
The 30-year-old, who has represented the Matildas on 57 occasions, has been with her fiance Temica Sayer for eight years.
But heartbreakingly, for much of that time she didn't feel comfortable telling the world about it.
Gielnik is currently plying her trade for Aston Villa in the UK Women's Super League and the powerful striker has dominated the best competitions around the world in the USA, Australia, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Norway and Japan.