Hayley Raso

Biography

Hayley Raso's journey into the elite world of football began with a debut for the Matildas in a 2012 match against New Zealand. Over the years, she solidified her position as a key player in the national squad by participating in numerous high-profile tournaments. Hayley began her professional career in 2011 with Canberra United in the W-League, and throughout the first decade, she played for various clubs in Australia. Her efforts bore fruit as she clinched premierships with Canberra and the Brisbane Roar and won a championship with Canberra in 2012.

In 2017, Hayley made a significant impact in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA while playing for the Portland Thorns. Her contribution helped the team win the championship, and she was named the supporters’ player of the year. However, 2018 brought a significant challenge—an on-field collision led to a severe injury, fracturing three vertebrae in her back. This injury sidelined her for months and required intensive rehabilitation.

Displaying immense resilience, Hayley made a successful comeback and represented the Matildas in the 2019 World Cup, reaching the round of 16. In 2020, she moved to Everton in England's Women's Super League and later played for Manchester City. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Hayley and the Matildas achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish, the highest-ever for the team.

In a career milestone, Hayley joined Real Madrid, becoming the first Australian to play for the club, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She played a pivotal role for the Matildas, scoring crucial goals and helping the team advance to the semi-finals. Her stellar performance continued into 2024, ensuring qualification for the Paris Olympics with key goals against Uzbekistan.

Hayley is also known for her signature ribbon worn during matches, a tradition that inspired her to write a children's book titled 'Hayley’s Ribbon,' with proceeds supporting the charity HeartKids, reflecting her commitment to giving back to the community.