Sam Kerr reveals what she’ll do when she quits playing, the job she’d love if she wasn’t a soccer superstar – and her chances of playing at the Olympics

Matildas captain Sam Kerr refuses to believe her Olympic dream is completely dead, but if she can’t play on the pitch she may still have a very important role to play off it.

The Chelsea forward suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a warm-weather training camp in Morocco in early January, virtually ruling her out of the Matildas Olympics in Paris.

Australia will play its group stage matches in Marseille and Nice and open their Olympic campaign against Germany on July 25 at the Stade de Marseille.

It normally takes six to nine months to recover from a torn ACL, but professional athletes often need more time to regain their strength and fitness.

That means Kerr would have to defy medical history to have any chance of playing for the Matildas.

Kerrs loves the bond she has with her teammates and the camaraderie they enjoy, even when playing against each other at club level

Some possibilities have been suggested, such as benching Kerr for as long as possible and possibly using her for a brief cameo if Australia makes it to the medal rounds.

It has also been suggested that Kerr could be used as a specialist penalty shooter if she cannot play but can strike with her uninjured leg.

Now Kerr has revealed the reality that she has a role to play on the pitch in Paris – and the news is not good for Matildas fans.

“Realistically, the Olympics probably won’t happen, but I’m still trying to push to get there as soon as possible,” she said in an interview with Vogue magazine.

It’s probably a little too early [for the Olympics] But I do everything I can every day to be as strong as possible, to be as fit as possible and to play my best football again.’

Kerr (pictured with fiancé Kristie Mewis) knows she can’t play forever and starts thinking about what she’ll do when her on-court career is over

The Chelsea forward hopes to stay in the sport and is considering taking up coaching

During her time off the field, Kerr has been able to reflect on what the next chapter of her life might hold, including the ambitions put on hold by her football career.

For starters, she has been able to put more time into her Sam Kerr Football initiative.

This foundation aims to provide opportunities for all children to build a career in sport and provide in-depth guidance in physical wellbeing to produce the Matildas and Socceroos of the future.

“It’s really fun for me to give back to the community and give things that I didn’t necessarily have growing up,” Kerr said.

One thing is certain: Kerr’s future, beyond her playing, will certainly remain in the sport she loves.

She is unclear what her future role may be, but did say that obtaining her coaching license is a real possibility.

After her playing days, Kerr (pictured with fiancé Kristie Mewis) can pursue her one great love outside of football: music

Matildas fans will be hoping there are many more quality years on the pitch for the Australian captain before she hangs up the boots

Kerr has also previously been forced to mentor with the Matildas due to injury, so she is developing her skills for a future in football that goes beyond just playing.

“I’m a very in-the-moment person and I want to keep playing as long as I can,” she said.

“I still have so many years ahead of me and I still want to play the game. While I was getting injured, I kind of realized that I would like to do something that keeps me in the game.

“I don’t know what aspect, maybe I’ll get my coaching license, but I would like to stay in the game. My passion for the game is something I would like to continue doing.”

There is also another option: pursue the career Kerr has dreamed of outside of football and become a DJ.

That could even start at the Paris Olympics, where Kerr could become the resident DJ for the Matildas in the Olympic Village.

“I can’t sing, but I love putting on a show for people, so maybe DJing,” she said of life after football.

‘If I could do something and be the best at it, I would love to be a singer. I love being on stage and performing in front of people… but I can’t sing, so I don’t have a chance.”