Last night, Commonwealth Bank Matildas skipper Sam Kerr sat down with Sandra Sully for an exclusive interview with Channel 10 where she shared the ups and downs of being one of the world's most recognised and decorated footballers.
Fans may remember that during the first match of the Commonwealth Bank Matildas friendlies against the USWNT at Stadium Australia, the team wore black armbands. This was in memory of Kerr's cousin who had sadly passed away in the days prior.
"It is [difficult], but he probably would've wanted nothing more than for me to step out there," Kerr said when asked how she managed to play so soon after suffering a loss in the family.
Sully also asked about the illness herself and other teammates suffered in the lead up to the USWNT friendlies.
"I picked up a little bit of a bug coming back from London," Kerr explained.
"I was quite sick and bedridden for two days, but anytime I have the opportunity to play for my country, I'll pull on the green and gold and I gave it all I got, maybe it wasn't my best, but I gave it my everything."
Playing international football has always meant time away from family, but throwing the COVID-19 pandemic into the mix, made for a difficult couple of years for Kerr.
Yeah, it's been difficult. There's been ups and downs I haven't seen my family in two years so that's probably been the most difficult part," Kerr shared.
"Obviously, it's amazing being back in Oz, but it's kind of worse being so close to home, but so far away, but you've just got to get on with it, honestly. It's just life at the moment. Everyone's dealing with it. I feel lucky that I've kept my job. I've been able to stay healthy. My family stayed healthy for the most part and there's always someone worse off."
Kerr's family was pivotal in her becoming the sporting superwoman she is today, growing up in a 'sports mad' family meant she was exposed to sport early on.
"I think that shaped me into the person I am today. There was always a lot of pressure in my family to be a sports fanatic or play sport," she explained.
"Whether it was from outside noise or within the house, there were always games and competitions in our family. But I think it shaped me into the person and player I am. There's always that competitive drive with me and my family. It was great. I wouldn't change anything."
Shifting from playing AFL as a child, to playing football, Kerr says there is no greater honour than donning the green and gold.
"It means everything. Whenever I play for my country, it makes my family really proud. My dad especially," Kerr said.
"You don't really think of those things when you're playing, but then I made my 100th cap recently, and when your parents do videos and all those types of things, that's when you sit down and think about it.
"Life goes so fast that when you're playing, you don't have time to really sit down and think about how what I'm doing, could mean something for someone else.
"There's always those moments in your career where something like that happens and you take a moment to take it all in."
Recently coming third in the Ballon D'or, Kerr is no stranger to pressure nor to fame but explains her laid back nature means that she takes it all in her stride.
"I think I cope with it pretty well. I'm relaxed about most things," Kerr said.
"For the most part, I do enjoy it. But there are obviously days when anybody would get over anything when it's repetitive. But I've really enjoyed it and I think it's helped the game grow and helped the exposure of women's football.
"I've enjoyed being at the front of that I really enjoy being a role model."
You can watch the full interview on 10 Play on demand.