Matildas star Charlotte Grant is feeling the love from Aussie fans after her stellar performance against England, but as a heartwarming social media exchange has revealed she’s also used to giving it back.
Grant, who was a goalscoring hero in Australia’s landmark win over the Lionesses this week, has a great relationship with football fans.
A wholesome Instagram exchange the 21-year-old South Australian had before the Matilda’s stunning upset against the European Champions illustrates this perfectly – and it’s something her male counterparts could take note of.
A screenshot of the conversation appeared on the Facebook forum ‘Matildas and A-League Women Supporters Group’ recently, posted by fan Jayden Kwon.
He wrote to the Matildas defender: ‘You played well! Loved seeing you play a bit more up front in the end. The Charli stans are starving for a goal’.
Charlotte Grant is feeling the love from Aussie fans after her stellar performance this week, and she’s not shy about returning the favour
A wholesome Instagram exchange that the 21-year-old South Australian had before the Matildas’ stunning upset against the European champions was posted to a Facebook group
Grant replied: ‘Sorry I only just saw this! Thanks again for all your support Jayden. Hopefully can get a goal for you guys next time’.
As fate would have it, a week later Grant would score an unforgettable goal against the Lionesses.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson sees Grant as a symbol of the battling character that runs through his ever-improving team with the World Cup looming.
And while Grant savours the prospect of being part of a ‘really great team that wants to make the nation proud’, Gustavsson is convinced that, like other rising Matildas, she will be on the radar of Europe’s top clubs after her latest display.
‘Look at Charli Grant’s journey. She had zero caps when I came on board,’ said Gustavsson, charting the rise of the former Adelaide United defender who, after a dream move to Scandinavia, has had struggles in the Swedish game where she’s now on loan at Vittsjo GIK.
‘Since day one, when she struggled a bit at international football, which is natural because the tempo is much higher than she’s used to, she’s shown the right mindset and really represents a lot of things in this team – the grit.
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‘She was put in the stands in (Swedish club) Rosengard, not even in their game day roster, and then gets loaned out to Vittsjo, yet look at what she does now against England away – that grit and commitment, to always get one day better.
‘I’m so happy for her – and she represents a lot of what this team stands for.’
Grant, who was a goalscoring hero in Australia’s landmark win over England this week, has a great relationship with football fans
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson sees Grant as a symbol of the battling character that runs through his ever-improving team with the World Cup looming
Grant defended stoically in the pouring rain on Tuesday but her crowning moment came when she headed home Australia’s decisive second goal in the 2-0 victory, via a wicked deflection off England captain Leah Williamson.
‘That was the first time I’ve scored for the national team, very excited. I just put my head on it and hoped for the best, and I’m just glad it went into the back of the net – but I’ll claim it,’ she laughed.
Looking forward to the World Cup, she added: ‘I think it’s going to be really special – we’re going to put out a high-pressing, attacking game, and we’re just looking to make the nation proud.’
Gustavsson believes the work of coaches at Australian clubs has helped foster adventurous younger talent like Grant, who came through the South Australian state football system.
‘Some of those players have really flown, and some of the big clubs over here in Europe are now scouting and head-hunting them,’ he said.
Gustavsson believes the work of coaches at Australian clubs has helped foster adventurous younger talents like Grant, who came through the South Australian state football system
‘A coach friend said to me, ‘hey, there’s a lot of diamonds there – rough diamonds that we can get into the big clubs’.
‘After this, some of those players are going to get approached from some of the bigger clubs.’
