Kyra Cooney-Cross returned to Arsenal’s home stadium for the first time since the death of her mother, Jess, and played in the club’s 0-0 Women’s Super League draw with Crystal Palace, according to ABC News Australia.
The Matildas midfielder had taken personal leave to remain in Australia with her mother, who died on July 10 after being diagnosed with terminal stage 4 bile duct cancer. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers had confirmed in March that Cooney-Cross would receive indefinite compassionate leave.
Before the match, Arsenal supporters and teammates welcomed Cooney-Cross back. She used the club’s match-day programme to thank fans for the support given to her and her family, writing that the “outpouring of love and support” would never leave them.
Cooney-Cross said returning to the United Kingdom was made easier because she regarded Arsenal as a family. She also shared a message her mother used to send before matches, saying it was “for all of us”.
The message encouraged her to remember the enjoyment she felt as a child when playing with the ball, friends and opponents. It urged her to play for the freedom, creativity and joy of the game rather than to prove something to others.
Cooney-Cross signed off the message with the words, “It’s for you, Mum. Love,” followed by her signature. Her appearance against Crystal Palace was her first Women’s Super League game for Arsenal since late last year.
The match ended goalless, leaving Arsenal fifth in the league table. The result provided a quiet sporting backdrop to Cooney-Cross’s return, which was marked by the tributes from the club and the personal message she chose to share with supporters.