Matildas star Sam Kerr has hit back at a newspaper headline made by Socceroos great Robbie Slater back in 2022.
Back in January 2022, the Matildas were coming off a disappointing Asian Cup campaign, however, one that saw Sam Kerr etch her name in Australian football history.
The Chelsea forward became Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer following a five-goal thumping during an Asian Cup clash taking her total to 54 at the time.
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Her achievement was considered one of the greatest in Australian football history, as she drew comparisons to the success of the likes of Tim Cahill.
However, former Socceroo Slater took issue with the notion that her record was ‘equal’ to that of Cahill’s 50 goals for the Australian men’s team.
Slater wrote a column for the Daily Telegraph where he maintained that Kerr and Cahill should not be compared as it would be ‘disrespectful’ to the former Everton player.
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Words such as ‘NOT EQUAL’, ‘DISRESPECTFUL’, and ‘IT’S RIDICULOUS’ were in clear bold letters for the headline across both the cover and front and back pages of the sports section.
In the Disney+ series Matildas: The World at Our Feet, the Matildas star is shown fuming at the headline and taking aim at Slater’s comments.
She says, as per Sydney Morning Herald: “Literally the most sexist thing you could say - not equal.”
“Imagine little girls reading that.
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“I cannot believe, in this day and age, that someone could write this, and have young girls read it, and that the Telegraph would actually publish such a sexist comment on the front page.
“It’s not about me ... Imagine a young girl growing up going, ‘Oh, no matter what I do ...’ Anyways.”
With the Matildas one of Australia’s most successful and popular sporting teams, it’s a ridiculous notion that Kerr’s achievements can’t be considered among the best.
On top of that, the idea that Tim Cahil would feel disrespected by such a comparison was quickly shut down by the Socceroo legend himself.
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After Kerr’s achievement, the famous number four was quick to congratulate his fellow Australian representative.
He wrote: “Congratulations Sam Kerr on this amazing achievement.
“You are an inspiration globally and I'm one of your biggest supporters and always here for you on and off the park. Keep breaking records and most importantly enjoy the journey.”
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SPORTbible has reached out to Robbie Slater and the Daily Telegraph for comment.
Jayden Collins