MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia has a predilection for sports — cricket, swimming, rugby, rugby league, a merciless game of its own invention familiarly called “Aussie rules” — and for lionizing sports stars.
But ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the country is now in the grip of a fervor about soccer, traditionally a niche sport here, and about one player in particular: Sam Kerr, the 29-year-old striker who has scored a record number of goals and delights with her on-pitch joy, frequently expressed through backflips.
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The captain of the Australian women’s team, known as the Matildas, Kerr regularly tops rankings of Australian athletes, has received numerous awards and even carried the Australian flag at the coronation of King Charles III in May.