Kristy's Journalism Portfolio

Optus Sport •

'Deciding games on his own': James Rodriguez's 'special' revival

Ahead of the Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia, much of the talk surrounds whether it's Lionel Messi's final match; but Los Cafeteros captain James Rodriguez is the man with the stunning redemption story. The 33-year-old has come from complete club obscurity to return to the international form that enraptured football fans at the 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot and secured a dream move to Real Madrid. So how did Colombia's famous number 10 go from the third most expensive transfer in Real Madrid history to near oblivion before this stunning revival?
Optus Sport •

Who is the real GOAT: Messi or Ronaldo?

The weekend of GOATs has arrived; with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo winding back the clock as football fans reignite a debate that has been raging for almost 20 years. It has been one of football's greatest rivalries (albeit always with the greatest of respect), and both had stayed healthy and played at such a 'ludicrously good' level that Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides says it is 'something we won't see again'.
Daily Mail •

One of the EPL's biggest legends showers Matildas with praise

One of the English Premier League's greatest and most popular players has lavished the Matildas with praise after their 4-0 win over Canada - even managing to hug skipper Steph Catley. Australia had to beat the reigning Olympic champions in order to progress to the knockout stages at their home World Cup; and they did so in style thanks to goals from Hayley Raso (2), Mary Fowler and Catley, who expertly converted her second penalty for the tournament.
Mail Online •

The Matildas' first skipper recalls running high-stakes poker games to fund career

As the Matildas announce their squad for the World Cup, the country's first-ever skipper has revealed they had to resort to gambling fundraisers and baking lamingtons to play for Australia. Julie Dolan is the Matildas' cap no. 1 after skippering the side in their first-ever game, which was against New Zealand in 1979 - and she is also a Legacy '23 ambassador for the World Cup, which begins in front of a sold-out crowd against Ireland on July 20. So while Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and co. will now play in front of 83,000 fans, sitting in brand-new, multimillion-dollar, gender-neutral change rooms and earning the same money as the Socceroos, it has taken a long and at times painful journey to get to this point.
Mail Online •

Michelle Payne reveals why Royal Ascot is as special as winning the Melbourne Cup after rubbing shoulders with royalty

She's won a Melbourne Cup, been the subject of a movie and ridden over 750 winners, but Aussie jockey Michelle Payne's new career highlight might just be joining the broadcast team for the Royal Ascot carnival. The 37-year-old became the first (and currently still only) woman to win a Melbourne Cup when she stunned the racing world by winning the world's most famous turf races on 100-1 shot, Prince of Penzance. She famously called horse racing a 'chauvinistic sport' after her historic win, saying: 'I want to say to everyone else, get stuffed, because they think women aren’t strong enough but we just beat the world'. And she's only gone from strength to strength since.
Mail Online •

Mary Fowler reveals how Man City has made her a better Matilda

Matildas prodigy Mary Fowler revealed why her move to football giants Manchester City has her primed to shine on the grandest stage of all in next month's World Cup in Australia. The Aussie superstar spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the heartbreaking sacrifices she had to make to chase her football dreams, but she is now reaping the rewards and will be picked to go to her second World Cup, aged just 20. Now Fowler has revealed how her move to UK giant Manchester City, and fighting for regular minutes, has set her up perfectly ahead of next month's huge tournament.
Mail Online •

Matildas star Mary Fowler reveals heartbreaking three-year sacrifice

Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed the heartbreaking sacrifices she has had to make in order to become one of the hottest properties in world football - saying she's only seen her siblings grow up over video calls. The 20-year-old wunderkind now plies her trade in the WSL for English giants Manchester City, and will be a vital part of Australia's attacking rotation at the home World Cup, which begins in just over a month's time. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia as her documentary series Mary on 7Plus prepared to air, Fowler revealed the heartbreaking sacrifices she has had to make on her way to becoming one of the hottest properties in female football.
Mail Online •

FIFA's second-in-command reveals how she saw football work miracles during genocide

Football can, quite seriously, be a matter of life and death: just ask FIFA's Secretary General, who said the only time child soldiers in war-torn African countries were allowed to lay down their guns was when the sport was on. Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura is the organisation's second-highest ranked individual behind president Gianni Infantino, and Forbes has previously labelled her the most powerful woman in world sport. The 60-year-old Senegalese was the first woman to be appointed to the prestigious position, and also the first non-European. She spoke to Daily Mail Australia while she is Down Under preparing for the Women's World Cup and explained the incredible power football can wield.
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