Hayley Raso’s sentiment on the Matildas’ medal ambitions at the Olympic Games is one that many in Australia will be hoping comes true.
“Getting a medal is something we all dream of, so we have our sights set high,” the Aussie livewire said this week.
Following last year’s record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, Raso and her Matilda teammates will be hoping to take that next step and grab a first ever Olympic medal in football for Australia.
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Raso’s firm focus on the Games comes off the back of what has been a year of great growth for the Matildas star after her off-season transfer to arguably the biggest club in the world – Real Madrid.
“Adapting to a new style of football and new culture is something I always wanted to try,” she said.
Hayley Raso of Australia celebrates scoring a goal. Getty
“I only have positive things to say of my experiences here so far.”
The move indicated the rise of the Matildas brand globally as well as the quality of the squad that has been built recently under the guidance of Tony Gustavsson.
Raso became the first ever Australian footballer to don the famous white strip of Madrid but has conceded that the move has had its challenges.
“The language barrier has been the biggest challenge,” she said.
“Understanding the drills in training or even just being able to understand my teammates has been tricky.”
Raso, though, has met these demands head on and believes her game has benefited from the move to Spain, as well as the opportunity to play alongside teammates such as Spanish World Cup winner Olga Carmona Garcia and Colombian young star Linda Caicedo.
“The level of football in Spain is very high. The training environment and games are both technically sharp, but also the physicality and intensity are at another level.”
Raso has had to be patient in terms of playing time, starting only eight of Madrid’s 19 league matches, with some reports suggesting that she could be departing the club after just one season.
Madrid experienced a somewhat frustrating year including only registering one point in the Women’s Champions League group stage, while bitter rivals Barcelona coasted to yet another league title as well as lifting the Champions League.
Barcelona’s dominance of women’s European football is one that Raso is aware of.
But she believes the gap is tightening with increased development in the women’s domestic game, including at Real Madrid.
“Barcelona have an incredibly talented squad and have won many trophies. The gap between them and other teams is now getting smaller,” she said.
Hayley Raso. Getty
Raso’s footballing journey up to this point has seen her play at the very pinnacle of the women’s game – including the Champions League and representing Australia at both Olympics and World Cups.
The determination she has shown throughout her career – including recovering from a career threatening back injury in 2018 – highlights the inner strength and belief that has carried Raso to the very top.
The Matildas will hope the same belief and courage will come to the fore in Paris, as they look to create their very own piece of sporting history.
Australia takes on China in a friendy in Adelaide on Friday night.