Australia Matildas star Cortnee Vine to take a mental health break from football

Matildas World Cup hero Cortnee Vine is stepping back from soccer to focus on her mental health.

The 26-year-old rocketed to stardom during the team’s FIFA Women’s World Cup run in Australia last year, scoring the winning penalty in the team’s quarter-final win over France in Brisbane.

Cortnee Vine playing for the Matildas against China in June. Credit: Getty Images

Originally from Shepparton, Vine left Sydney FC in June after a four-year stint with the club to take up a deal in the US and play at Paris 2024. But she was not available for selection for the Matildas in the most recent international window as she prioritised her mental health.

She also took time away from the team for the Olympic qualifiers in February for personal reasons, but returned to the team for Paris.

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