Matildas midfield star Kyra Cooney-Cross has rushed home from England to Australia to be with her mother, who has been diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer.
Cooney-Cross had been due to play for European champions Arsenal in the Women’s Super League against Manchester United on Saturday as the English competition resumed after its Christmas break.
But the 23-year-old has revealed in an emotional social media post that she has raced back home to be with her mother, Jess.
Kyra Cooney-Cross flew home to be with her mum and her family. (Supplied: GoFundMe)
Sharing a photo of the two of them together in hospital, Cooney-Cross explained her mum had been diagnosed with a “rare and aggressive” form of bile duct cancer.
“A few days ago, our world changed forever,” she said.
“My amazing mum, Jess, has been diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma [bile duct cancer].
“It’s a rare and aggressive cancer, and there is no cure.
“‘My mum is my hero, my best friend, my everything and the person who has shaped every part of who I am.
“She is the reason I am where I am today, her strength, love, and belief in me has carried me through everything.
“Trying to put into words what she means to me feels impossible.
“I’m now back in Australia to be with my mum, my sisters, and our family as we navigate what comes next. We are all still in shock and learning how to sit with the weight of this news.”
Kyra Cooney-Cross has been supported by her Matildas teammates. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)
The midfielder’s Arsenal and Australia teammates, including club colleagues Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord and national skipper Sam Kerr, have rallied around Cooney-Cross with messages of love and support.
The Matildas official Instagram account posted in the comments: “We’re with you every step of the way.”
Cooney-Cross has been enjoying her best spell with Arsenal since she signed from Swedish side Hammarby in 2023, a fact recognised by her award earlier in the week as the European champions’ player of the month.
AAP
