Michelle Heyman is one of Australia’s football legends—a trailblazer who’s done it all: Matilda, 2 time Olympian, and champion for the rise of women’s football.

Her journey with the Matildas kicked off in 2010, and for nine incredible years, she made her mark with agility, strength, and an instinct for goals. Michelle played 63 international games, netting an impressive 25 goals, and was a key player in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In the A-League Women’s, Michelle has rewritten the record books. She’s the league’s all-time top scorer with 112 goals (and counting) and the first and only player to win three Golden Boots (2009, 2011/12, 2023/24) and the prestigious Julie Dolan Medal twice. On top of that, she’s played more games than anyone else in league history.

After stepping back from international football in 2019 to recharge, Michelle made a powerful choice—to hit pause and focus on herself. She embraced commentary, gained a fresh perspective on the game, and by 2020, realised her story wasn’t over. 

Dubbed the “comeback queen,” Michelle rejoined the Matildas in 2024, proving that age is just a number and it is never too late. In two Olympic Qualifiers against Uzbekistan, she scored five goals, punching the Matildas’ ticket to the Paris Olympics. 

Michelle’s story is all about grit, passion, and the power of choice. She leads by example as a captain and is a fierce advocate for women’s football, grassroots development, gender equality, and LGBTQIA+ rights in sport.

Having witnessed the evolution of the Matildas over 14 years, Michelle has a front-row seat to the transformation of women’s football—from fundamental changes in the game to sell-out stadiums celebrating the sport. Her journey is proof that it’s never too late to dream bigger, work harder, and inspire others along the way.