Sam Kerr is the new face of Nike in their launch of the Mercurial Superfly 360 boots
CRISTIANO Ronaldo. Neymar. Sam Kerr.
As far as symbolic images go, this was the one that confirmed the icon status of Australia’s new number one footballer.
Up on the walls in true Nike style, the superstars’ faces were synthesised with the eye of a cheetah represented what they’re all about – speed and domination.
It was a powerful image for Australian football, with one of our own standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.
In the past, the likes of Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill would have been charged with the title, but as Sam Kerr unveiled the new Nike Mercurial Superfly 360 to an adoring crowd, it was clear that a huge shift had taken place in Australian football.
Crowds lined up for an hour for the chance to catch a glimpse of the Matildas star, decked out in a range of football jerseys with little understanding of just how big of a moment they were about to be a part of.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Sam Kerr are some of the faces of Nike's new Mercurials
For the first time since Kewell’s Adidas World Cup campaign in 2006 — alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Leo Messi and David Beckham — an Australian footballer was involved in of a global launch for one of the world’s apparel giants.
Sam Kerr at the launch of Nike's new boots.
Harry Kewell (top left) was the face of Adidas in Australia as part of a global campaign
And not just any giant either, this was Nike – the world’s number one sportswear company, fronted by the number one Australian footballer and soon to be the world’s number one.
Kerr seemed calm amongst the fanfare, almost as though she knew this was her rightful place.
After a season where she found a goal scoring touch none of her countrymen or women could match, she grinned relaxedly and delivered a strong message – “this is just the beginning.”
For the Perth-based attacker and the Matildas, a huge year awaits and one where they aim to scale heights never achieved in Australian football.
“We’ve still got three more spots to go until we’re world number one,” Kerr told foxsports.com.au with a reserved assurance that she, alongside her Matildas teammates, would reach their goal to be the best team in the world.
“That’s the ultimate goal, to win a World Cup. I think this is only the beginning, we’ve worked really hard it hasn’t come easy, a lot of people think it happened overnight but it’s been years in the making.”
As Kerr took front and centre at the launch, hundreds of fans packed like sardines into a small room to hear her speak.
It was a moment that really summed up how far the Matildas, and their biggest weapon, had come in the space of a few short years – from pay disputes and coaching overhauls.
They aren’t second billing anymore – as Kerr demonstrated on Thursday.
Sam Kerr at the launch of Nike's new boots
Fans lined up to get Sam Kerr's signature.
Phones and cameras were held high in the air in every possible space as each member of the crowded room jostled for their opportunity to capture the moment they heard a footballing superstar speak.
“Four years ago, no one could get an interview and now everyone has interviews left, right and centre,” Kerr said in almost reflective way as she came to terms with the new found public fanfare over herself and her teammates.
While still coy on her chances of taking out the coveted title of FIFA Best – for world player of the year – Kerr is the type of footballer who plays the game for the sheer enjoyment of it, and it was clear from the hype around her, this was a player with the world at her feet.
Nike had pulled out all the stops, and why shouldn’t they, this was a celebration of an Aussie superstar – our chance to finally call one of the world game’s best our own.
With a DJ blaring iconic street beats, a barber shop and a boot packaging which could have kept out even the most seasoned thief, Nike showed just how big Kerr – and in turn women’s football, are becoming in Australia and the world.
Kerr had the chance to mingle with (the original) Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez and Nike’s other big-name stars at the international launch of the boot last week in London. This time in Sydney she was the star attraction.
There was no mention of her male counterparts, we didn’t hear Cahill this or Aaron Mooy that, this was an event people attended in their droves to see a bona fide superstar of the women’s game – and a symbolic moment which confirmed the new-found status of the sport.
We are in the midst of a massive change in Australian football, a seriously positive one, heralded in by a true superstar of the game both on and off the park.
Women’s football has arrived on the world stage, and so has Sam Kerr and both will continue to go from strength to strength as Australian football reaches heights it’s never reached before.
Corina Dodovski @CorinaDodovski
Carly Adno
