23 - Ellie Carpenter: "If I’ve inspired one girl or boy to put on their boots, I’m very happy.”

At just 23, it’s hard to believe Ellie Carpenter has already been part of the national team for seven years. Bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old, the pacy defender has become a stalwart of the CommBank Matildas.

Over her 72 caps since 2016, Carpenter has essentially grown up with her teammates, together facing the highest of highs and lowest of lows, both on and off the pitch.

When talking about what makes the CommBank Matildas’ bond so strong, she says it comes from unconditional support.

“In this team, everyone is on the same page; everyone fights for each other,” the Cowra, NSW, native said.

“When we step foot onto the pitch, everyone gives 110%. Sometimes you don't get that in other teams. When I play for the Matildas, it’s such a different feeling, that I don't get it anywhere else. I get goosebumps when I talk about it because it just means so much.”

A major low of Carpenter’s career came at the worst time possible, just over one year out from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

It was during Olympique Lyonnais’ UEFA Champions League Final in May of 2022. Just 20 minutes into the first half, Carpenter went down with a knee injury. She was cleared to continue playing but it was evident that all was not ok, with Carpenter hitting the ground again shortly after.

She was stretchered off and Lyon went on to defeat Barcelona 3-1, claiming the Championship. Carpenter later joined, celebrating on crutches, wearing a full leg brace, before it was revealed that she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament.

At the time she called it “devastation,” but throughout her rehab process, Carpenter began to appreciate being given a “forced break” to find herself away from football.

“Getting injured was a blessing in disguise,” the two-time UEFA Champions League trophy winner said.

“The World Cup was in July, so I knew I had over a year to recover. I felt confident in myself to be able to come back, but you just never know, anything can happen, so I wanted to get surgery straightaway.”

Carpenter went in for surgery just two days after the injury, wanting to give herself the best possible chance to recover in time for the biggest tournament of her career.

“After my surgery, I just went really, hard into rehab. I don't think I’ve ever worked so hard in my life. I wanted to get back as quickly as I could and tick off all the boxes.

“Mentally, I knew I could play at the highest level, and I had a lot of amazing support around me. I just wanted to stay at Lyon and build up to 90 minutes as quickly as possible,” she said.

The silver lining to temporarily losing minutes on the pitch, was finding herself and speaking up for her wellbeing.

“I think this injury is the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I needed this time and this break. A forced break, not one that I would’ve wanted,” she laughed.

“I've learned so much about myself and my body and I’ve also learned how to say no to people when I need to rest or if I'm sore. I probably didn't do that when I was younger,” she said.

“I obviously want to play all the time, but now I'm thinking more about my body and my longevity in the game. It's a 24-hour job, you're a 24-hour athlete. You can't take shortcuts and if I didn't do my rehab as well as I did, I wouldn't have had that break post-season, I would have had to keep training to get fit.

“I didn't even watch any football during my rehab. I didn't have any desire to, I just wanted to switch off completely because I hadn't had that since I started professionally at 15,” Carpenter shared.

“I just really needed it mentally, to be a normal 22-year-old for once. Mental health is massive, especially in sport. After a major injury, you can go one way or the other, but for me, I’ve been lucky enough to have had great support around me."

Keeping her wellbeing in mind, Carpenter decided to sit out the CommBank Matildas Cup of Nations tournament in February of 2023. A decision that benefited her body in the long run, but seeing her teammates raise the trophy, also made her hungry to return.

“Towards the end of my rehab, I watched the Cup of Nations. Watching the girls doing so well was very inspiring and that became more of a motivation,” she said.

“I was excited to get back into the group, work with them and hopefully bring a better version of me back to the team.”

It wasn’t long before Carpenter would make her return, playing the CommBank Matildas following the away window in the UK. During this time, the team claimed a historic win over the English Lionesses, ending their 30-win streak.

She slotted back into the line-up and said that it felt like she’d never left. The bond and cohesion with her teammates remained but the depth of the team had swelled.

“Being back after not playing with the Matildas for a year, it just felt natural,” she explained.

“I've been in this team since I was 15 and it’s so special to be a part of. Now, we have players fighting for starting spots, fighting to come on as substitutes. We've never had that and it’s the best problem to have.

“I’m so grateful to be in this position because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I have that right in front of me. It's very exciting.”

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup done and dusted and a history-making fourth-place achievement under her belt, Carpenter spoke about the legacy she wants to leave.

“In general, I want to be remembered as a genuine person. I like to come across as very bubbly. I'm always up for a chat or a laugh, but on the field, I want to be remembered as Ellie, for the way that I play,” she said.

“I never give up; I wear my heart on my sleeve. I give 110% every time I step out on the pitch. The attitude and determination I try to bring, can hopefully leave a legacy for those girls and boys watching in the stands. If I’ve inspired one girl or boy to put on their soccer boots after the World Cup, I’m very happy.”