Chelsea's Sam Kerr becomes the latest women's footballer to suffer ACL injury

Kerr, who has been a key player for Chelsea in the past three seasons, has consistently scored nearly 30 goals each season. Currently, Chelsea is leading the WSL table with a three-point advantage over Manchester City.

According to a statement from the club, Sam will undergo assessment by a specialist in the upcoming days and will then commence her rehabilitation with the club's medical team.

Since joining Chelsea in 2019, Kerr has been a prolific scorer, netting 99 goals in 128 matches for the London side. She has also achieved remarkable success, winning the league four times, the FA Cup three times, and the League Cup twice.

Kerr's exceptional performances have earned her individual accolades as well. She has won the Golden Boot twice and was a runner-up at the Ballon d'Or awards last year, narrowly missing out to Spain's Aitana Bonmati.

Not only is Kerr a highly accomplished player, but she is also a popular figure in the sport. In fact, she made history by becoming the first female player to feature on the global cover of the FIFA video game in 2022, alongside Kylian Mbappe.

Unfortunately, Kerr now joins a long list of women's players who have suffered ACL injuries. These injuries typically require a minimum of nine months for recovery before a return to action.

ACL injuries were a significant topic of discussion during the women's World Cup last year, as players like Beth Mead and Leah Williamson from England, Vivianne Miedema from the Netherlands, and Janine Beckie from Canada missed the tournament due to such injuries.

FIFPRO, the global soccer players union, has highlighted that an increased workload, travel, and insufficient rest have contributed to a rise in injuries, including torn ACLs, among women's professional players. In response, UEFA introduced a women's health expert panel in December to gain a deeper understanding of ACL injuries and their prevalence in the women's game.