Attacking midfielder Amy Sayer said that while the rehabilitation for the ACL she ruptured in April last year was one of the most challenging periods of her life, she has returned to the national team fold for the first time since the injury as a stronger and more versatile player than ever.
Sayer was speaking to the media in Melbourne ahead of the CommBank Matildas two-game series against Argentina.
“It [the rehabilitation] was definitely the hardest thing I've ever done in my life,” she said.
“Lots of ups and downs, but I think it's really shown how much I can just hunker down and be single-mindedly focused on one task. I was in the gym for four plus hours a day, twice a day, and I think that's what has helped me come back so quickly [11 months].”
“I think I've come back as a stronger player than ever before, and more well-rounded. The knee is never going to be the same - especially being cut open in six or more places - but I think I've done the best that I can, and it feels really great at the moment.”
ACL ruptures are unfortunately, rampant in women’s football. CommBank Matildas teammate Mary Fowler is facing her own lengthy stint on the sidelines after picking up the injury last month.
Sayer said that she was in contact with her former junior national teammate as soon as she heard the news.
“We are around the same age. We've grown up [together] and played together in the youth teams as well,” she explained.
“I just reached out, said sorry for the news, and offered any if she needed any help at all - especially because I had to do a lot of research on the type of graft that I had to do in my knee.
“She's got a really good crew around her, and really good resources at Manchester City. She’s very, very strong physically and mentally already, so I think she's got it in the bag.”
Sayer has played six times for her club Kristianstads DFF since returning, with three of those being starts. Her haul of two goals in that time has doubled her previous goal tally in the Damallsvenskan.
Rather than thinking too far ahead, she remains focused on the here and now.
“I'm grateful to Tom for calling me in, and it is a platform for me to show what I can do,” she said.
“In the past 12 months coming back from my injury, I've turned inwards and given more focus on myself, rather than what's going on outside. The best that I can do [at this camp] is show what I can do – and I have been.”
She hopes she will have that opportunity on the pitch as well as on the training ground against the CommBank Matildas' opponents for this window, Argentina.
She expects them to bring a physical battle and an entertaining game.
“You can expect that they would be strong, physical, loud and aggressive, and I think it'll be a really good challenge for us,” she said.
“It'll test some of the limits and the areas of our game that we need to work on, and showcase some things that need to be tightened up.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE | MAY / JUNE 2025
Match One
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
Match Two
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
