Matildas captain Sam Kerr has long been considered one of the best football players in the world. Now she has cemented her place at the top by becoming the first woman to appear on the global cover of the best-selling FIFA game.
Kerr will feature on the global cover of FIFA 23’s Ultimate Edition worldwide, alongside French player Kylian Mbappé, making history as the first female player to do so.
The cover art for the hugely popular football simulation game was revealed on Monday in a tweet from EA Sports FIFA, with the caption: “Two phenomenal forces up front. One ultimate strike partnership.”
Kerr is featured wearing her Chelsea club kit.
While other female payers have appeared on national editions of FIFA in the past, for example, U.S player Alex Morgan appeared on the American edition of FIFA 16, Kerr becomes the first woman to grace the cover of the game’s global edition.
Previously, Matildas player Steph Catley has appeared on the Australian edition of FIFA 16.
FIFA 23 marks the 30th edition of the game and will be the last to be produced in partnership with football’s governing body FIFA.
Kerr features on the global cover after a immensely successful season, where she won the 2021-22 Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year, and led Chelsea to both a league title win and FA Cup win.
Prior to Kerr’s feature on the cover, football icon Lionel Messi was often the game’s cover star. Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo has also featured. The game is estimated to have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide since its launch, making it one of the most popular video games ever.
Last week, Sam Kerr was awarded the keys to the City of Perth, becoming the first recipient of the city’s keys since Kerry Stokes in 2014.
“Sam is a role model athlete and an inspiration for people young and old – but especially young girls – and she is arguably Australia’s most decorated and popular athlete,” Perth’s Mayor Basil Zempilas said.
“I am delighted that in granting this award, she will become the first West Australian-born female recipient of the Keys to the City of Perth.
In January this year, Kerr received a medal of the Order of Australia.