Matildas and new Western United star Chloe Logarzo has opened up on her emotional return to the pitch with the national team.
The 27-year-old ruptured her ACL playing for Australia in September last year and recently completed her recovery to put herself back in contention for selection.
After being reintroduced back into the squad at the beginning of September, Logarzo was once again called up by head coach Tony Gustavsson and made her first steps across the white line in the 83rd minute of the side’s 4-1 win over South Africa in London.
Immediately after the final whistle at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow Stadium, an emotional Logarzo explained what it meant for her to run out in the Green and Gold again.
“It was a surreal feeling to be able to get back on the field. I just had an amazing time coming on and being with the girls, and now I can put that behind me and move forward,” she said.
“I’ve spoken a lot about the team and how the girls have really turned into family. I’ve spent more time with these girls than I have with my family in the last seven years.
“To be able to have them support me and really mean it means the world to me, and I would do anything for them. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.”
The Matildas quickly packed their bags and jetted off to face Denmark for the second match of this camp, with kick-off at 3:00am AEDT on Tuesday October 12.
Logarzo again spoke to the Matildas’ media team in the lead up to that clash and reflected on everything coming together for her return to the pitch.
“It went a little bit full circle – I did my knee with the team, and I was able to get my first minutes (back) with the team,” she said.
“All that hard work and sacrifice paid off, and it was just amazing to be able to do it with the girls that mean the most to me.”
Logarzo will hope to feature again as the Matildas continue preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil, before she returns to Kansas City Current for the National Women’s Soccer League Playoffs in the United States.
The midfielder will then arrive in Melbourne early next month, joining up with Mark Torcaso and the Western United squad ahead of the inaugural Liberty A-League Women match against Melbourne Victory at City Vista Pavilion and Sports Fields on November 19.
