From injury rehab to record books: Sam Kerr reaches a century of goals on her long-awaited comeback

Sam Kerr is inevitable.

One of the most prolific forwards in women’s football, she gravitates towards goal.

A 20-month spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury saw her career come to a screeching halt, providing mental and physical obstacles to overcome.

Yet despite 634 days away from the field, Kerr needed just 20 minutes to remind the world who she is.

After finding the back of the net in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa, she was back like she never left.

It almost seemed like a matter of fate, given it was her 100th goal in a Blues shirt.

“It means everything,” the Australian told the club website.

“To score 100 goals for any club is amazing, but to do it for a club like Chelsea is incredible. It’s something I’m really proud of and I don’t take it lightly.

“I’m a goal scorer, that’s what I love doing, and those 100 represent a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifices to get there.”

Her return to the squad is welcomed by fans and teammates alike.

Hannah Hampton, who plays between the sticks, believes it will be like having a new addition as Chelsea look to replicate last year’s success.

“It’s almost as if we have got an extra signing with her back; it’s a big help for us going forward,” the English shot-stopper told Sky Sports.

“She’s an absolute demon in the box. It’s about time she starts annoying opposition goalkeepers – she does it enough to me in training!”

Now that Kerr is back to playing, and scoring, she will be hoping to return to the kind of consistency that put her in conversations for one of the best in the world.

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Bompastor: Kerr is an idol

Despite going into her second year at the helm, this will be the first season that Sonia Bompastor has Kerr at her disposal.

The Matildas captain was named in a Champions League squad towards the end of last term, though further setbacks prolonged her comeback.

“Personally, I’m really pleased—but I think she is also really pleased,” the Blues boss said.

“You know what Sam represents for Chelsea. For me, she is an idol.

“We all know how tough it was for her, being away from the game and the pitch for so long. She doesn’t like getting the limelight, but she deserves it. I think she needs to enjoy it, she has been through tough moments so when you have positives moments, you need to celebrate them.”

While idol status means young ballers will look to Kerr as a point of reference, the 32-year-old still calls on her own role models at this stage of her career.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Serena Williams, namely, given their consistency in their respective sports.

“Consistency has been at the heart of everything I’ve tried to achieve in my career. For me, it’s never been about having one great season or one standout moment—it’s about maintaining a high level over many years,” she told VERSUS.

“That level of reliability, that ability to perform year after year, is what I’ve always strived for. I’m proud of how consistent I’ve been across different leagues and challenges.

“It’s a value I carry with me every time I step on the pitch.”

Scoring on her first game back, after a 20-month rehab, is yet further proof that she embodies what it means to be a constant.

Sam Kerr: This is a special time in women’s football

Kerr had an eventful rehabilitation period, enduring a number of things.

Among the positives, however, was becoming a first-time mother.

Earlier this year, she and partner Kristie Mewis welcomed their son Jagger to the world.

“I think he came at the first time,” Chelsea’s star striker said. “I wasn’t playing and it kind of made me realise that football is just a game.

“I’m just going to enjoy it and play for fun because there’s bigger things in life.

“I still love football and I’m still going to run myself into the ground when I’m back, don’t worry about that, but I think it has just given me a new take on it and a new way to look at it.”

More importantly for Kerr, is that her son will grow up in an era where women’s football is on the rise with two mothers who have played an active part in its growth.

The Perth native believes this is an exciting period for the sport – one that could indicate a real turning point.

“It feels like such a special time to be part of football; when I was young, there weren’t any female players to look up to but now, kids grow up surrounded by incredible athletes across every sport,” she added in her VERSUS interview.

“To them [kids], it’s just football, no different [and] that’s a huge shift from when I was growing up and it makes me proud. As a mum, it means a lot to know my son will grow up in a world where female athletes are celebrated just as much as male athletes.

“To be part of that change, and to see that the next generation is already embracing it is really special. I think in 20 or 30 years, we’ll look back on this period as the turning point for women’s sport.”

Kerr’s return to the sport is both a professional milestone and personal triumph. Scoring her 100th goal in her first match back after nearly two years was more than a stat. It was a testament to her resilience, and a preview of the legacy that will endure long after she stops lacing her boots.

Such a comeback serves as a reminder that greatness does not fade, no matter how long an athlete spends away. It waits and it works – and when the moment comes, it delivers.

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