Revealed: The telltale signs everyone missed that Matildas star Sam Kerr suffered a shocking setback after her horror knee injury
Newly appointed Matildas coach Joe Montemurro shocked football fans when he revealed captain Sam Kerr recently had a second surgical 'intervention' for a mystery injury - and a deep dive shows why the Chelsea striker faces an uncertain future in the sport.
Kerr, 31, has not played for club or country in 16 months after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back in January 2024 during a training camp with Chelsea in Morocco.
Fans were shocked to see Kerr attend the recent A-League Women's Grand Final in Melbourne - but it is now likely she was actually in Australia to privately see a surgeon.
Recovery from an ACL injury typically is between six and 12 months, but it depends on the player.
In January this year - 12 months after Kerr was injured - questions first began to be raised about her highly anticipated return to the pitch.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor declared in April it was unlikely that Kerr would be back before the end of the Women's Super League season on May 10 - and she was on the money.
'It is difficult for me to say because everyone is different and everyone reacts differently,' the Blues boss told reporters at the time.
'Sam is progressing in her rehab but I don't have enough elements to say if we will see her this season.
'Hopefully, yes, but it is difficult for me to say.'
Away from the pitch, Kerr had to endure a high-profile criminal trial, and in February she was found not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of a British police officer.
It followed a night out with her fiancée Kristie Mewis in January of 2023, where the footballers feared they were going to be kidnapped by a taxi driver.
Kerr has since returned to train with Chelsea - but only on light duties.
It was anticipated Kerr would return to the team sheet as the Blues claimed another domestic title in May - but it didn't happen and her recovery continues to be dragged out.
Mewis then gave birth to the couple's son Jagger last month - which followed Kerr being in Australia back in April ahead of the Matildas tackling South Korea in two international fixtures.
Again, Kerr trained lightly but didn't play - and Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed the goal machine was wearing a compression sleeve on her injured right knee.
On Monday, Montemurro left Matildas fans on edge after confirming Kerr recently underwent a new surgical procedure following a separate injury.
'Look, I think there were some complications and I've only caught up with the scenario in the last 24 hours,' he explained to Channel 10 News.
'There was a subsequent intervention, but I do believe she is now back running.
'I think it was something completely different (to the existing knee injury). I think the knee is fine. 'I think there was some other issues, but again I've only been briefed in the last 24 hours.'
When Kerr does eventually return to play, she knows her every move will be heavily scrutinised.
Given she is also at the twilight of her career, Kerr's time representing the Matildas and Chelsea could be drawing to a close.
No doubt she will be desperate to lead Australia out at the Asian Cup next year on home soil - but it also looms as a likely international farewell for the nation's greatest ever goal scorer.
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