When Cortnee Vine scored the winning penalty against France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final back in August – and sent the Matildas into a historic semis clash – life as she knew it changed forever.
With more than four million Aussies idolising her, fame quickly landed on Cortnee’s doorstep.
WATCH NOW: Matildas players react to getting picked for the World Cup squad. Article continues after video.
The star forward was also in demand to sign with elite women’s soccer clubs from around the world.
Instead, the 25-year-old opted to stay in Australia, where she plays for Sydney FC in the Liberty A-League Women’s soccer competition.
Here, Cortnee tells New Idea about the new season, and life after kicking that iconic goal…
How are you coping with your new-found fame?
I do feel like it’s not me out there on the pitch sometimes. I’m still getting used to [the fame]. I didn’t realise at the time how many people were watching that quarter-final game.
I cope with what’s happened since that game by just spending time with my partner, family and friends. They all keep me grounded.
Having good people around you and listening to advice certainly helps.
Who is ‘Cortnee’ when she’s not playing soccer?
I’m studying an IT course at university, which I really enjoy. I also live with my partner [fellow Sydney FC player Charlotte McLean] very close to our training ground.
I like to go to the gym and to our local coffee shop for breakfast, and I also just hang out with my dog and watch movies.
How would your A-League teammates describe you?
Hopefully they’d say I’m pretty laid-back and fun.
Being around my teammates helps me to relax.
We all get on really well.
What is one thing you know now that you wish someone had told you at age 16?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. I would always try to make sure everything I did in soccer was 100 per cent perfect, and it really affected me if I made a bad pass or missed a chance.
I’d get down about it and for a while there I stopped enjoying playing. Now I know that it’s OK to make a mistake on the pitch.
Realising that has made me a better player and person.
How do you unwind?
I sleep to unwind! I don’t have an average routine these days as I have a lot more commitments than I used to.
But on the rare occasion when I do get a day off, I’ll go for a walk or spend time with family, as well as watch other A-League matches.
What can Matildas fans expect from the A-League Women’s competition this season?
It’s going to be very exciting. I love playing here at home!
It’s a 12-team, full home-and-away- season competition for the first time this year.
Watch matches on TV or get to a game and get to know the players – you’ll be hooked in no time!
Stream Matildas: The World At Our Feet now on Disney Plus with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
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