Devastating injury causes Ellie Carpenter's exhaustion to flare up again | #Matildas #FIFAWWC

I learned a lot about myself during those eight months of my injury off the field and on the field. I realised that there's more things than football in life as well. I got to learn a lot about myself, work on myself as well and take a break from the game which I haven't had in so long even though I'm still quite young and I think I really needed that. I was at a verge of a burnout and to the best thing that's happened to me really and with the support around me. If we backtrack a little bit, it was devastating when it happened. I still remember the feeling that I had. I teared up, I'm going to be honest. It was heartbreaking to see Ali go down in that Champions League game but then once again how she and this team handled adversity. It's just amazing. She's beyond her years when it comes to maturity and professionalism so now when she's back, she's back fitter than she was when she got injured and then you need to understand that when she got injured, she's fitter than most players that I've ever seen. She's just a machine when it comes to professionalism. Obviously watching the girls from afar was obviously difficult at times but I'm very excited and more eager than ever really to be back in the squad so it's probably the best thing. She comes back healthy, appreciating the game, mentally fresh so seeing her in training here is just amazing to have her back and not just as a player but Ali is also spreading so much positive energy and there's always a lot of energy and laughter around her.