Matildas prodigy Mary Fowler revealed why her move to football giants Manchester City has her primed to shine on the grandest stage of all in next month’s World Cup in Australia.
The Aussie superstar spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the heartbreaking sacrifices she had to make to chase her football dreams, but she is now reaping the rewards and will be picked to go to her second World Cup, aged just 20.
Now Fowler has revealed how her move to UK giant Manchester City, and fighting for regular minutes, has set her up perfectly ahead of next month’s huge tournament.
And when you hear what she’ll be thinking of when she (hopefully) strides out onto Sydney Olympic Stadium in the opener in front of more than 80,000 fans – you’ll understand just how special this talent is.
High expectations have been part of Fowler’s time in football from a very young age.
Manchester City star Mary Fowler has revealed why her move to the football giants had primed for success on the grandest stage of all: next month’s World Cup in Australia
The 20-year-old Matildas jet, pictured celebrating a goal against Canada last year, isn’t fazed by the incredibly high expectations of her
The popular youngster is comfortable in her own skin, and ready to play her part for the team
Ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic labelled her the ‘most talented female player’ he’d ever seen, while superstar skipper Sam Kerr said she was the ‘next big thing in football’.
She had Australia and Ireland (courtesy of her father Kevin, who was born and bred there) fighting over which country she would represent before making her National debut at just 15, becoming the fifth-youngest Matilda in history.
She’s risen through the ranks at lightning speed, as a brilliant technician and dribbler with exceptional athleticism.
But it’s being a slightly smaller fish in the big Manchester City pond, and having to fight for game time in a very talented squad, that might be the perfect catalyst for World Cup glory with Australia.
Alongside Caitlin Foord and Kerr, Fowler will be fighting for time in the forward rotation, of which she will be a crucial part of – but that doesn’t bother this prodigy in the slightest.
The prodigiously talented forward, pictured dribbling against Sweden in November last year, knows what role she needs to reach the top of her game, be it on or off the pitch
‘Patience has been a big thing for me. I think sometimes you fall into the trap of seeing and hearing all the expectations people have of you,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I’m 20. I’m at Man City (and) playing for my national team. Like, it’s okay. I’m not in any rush. I’ve got time.
‘So I think being able to realise that and then being able to turn up to every training session and be like, “this is still useful”, even if I’m not going to play on the weekend.
‘I’m still going to make the most out of this session and it’s going to help me, because next season it’ll be my season.
‘I think it just shows that even when things aren’t going your way, it’s still important to try and make the best out of those situations because they are going to help you in the future.’
Fowler joined Manchester City last year from top-flight French club Montpellier on a huge four-year contract with high expectations, and if she has it her way she may never leave.
The 20-year-old signed a huge four-year deal with Manchester City last year – and if she has it her way, she’ll never leave
‘It’s amazing (being at City). If I could stay at this club for ages, I would. I just feel so at home at this club and I’ve loved every second of it,’ she said.
‘Everybody is lovely, the team is great and I just love being in an environment where winning is important and standards are important.
‘Everybody shows up and wants to have a good session, and they want to work hard.
‘Off the field we can have our laughs, we can go out together and do all that. But when we’re working, we’re working.
‘I love that kind of culture, so I fit right in at City.’
That strength and competitive edge continually foster in Manchester will be crucial during the World Cup, because, news flash, football players want to play football.
But Fowler insists there is no ‘suck it up’ mentality – a whining Aussie athlete is basically a national crime – because the Matildas are so close, there is no semblance of being jealous if she does happen to spend time on the bench.
She knows she can contribute either way – like she did scoring a match-winner at the Olympics aged 18 or with her bubbly, positive demeanour.
The Matildas are a tight-knit unit – there is no kicking stones for those who might be on the bench come World Cup time
‘For me, the best way to give the most to your team is by bringing your best self to it, mentally and physically,’ Fowler said.
‘While it’s a team sport, it’s a very individual sport in some respects as well. I think my experiences at City being able to be on the bench for a bit has shown me how I can help the team without being on the field.
‘So I think no matter what happens, I just have so much belief in our team and I love our team so much that I will bring my best self to it no matter what.
‘I don’t even think it’s sucking it up. Being able to represent your country is such an honour, and if you get to do that, whether you’re on the field or on the bench, it’s an experience that like not many people get to have.
‘We have such a good team culture right now where like people just want the best for each other, and are just so supportive of each other.
‘So even if you’re not on the pitch like the people on the field, they got chosen because the coach believes in them – so you put that belief in them as well.
‘We have that kind of connection as team-mates, there’s no moaning or anything. If you are on the bench, you still all have that same goal, that same trust and belief in each other, and you just want the best for the team.’
The real strength of Fowler’s resolve can be seen as Daily Mail Australia tried to probe the Aussie into getting emotional talking about her tight-knit family that she might be holding close to her heart as she (hopefully) strides out onto the field for the World Cup opener in front of more than 80,000 fans against her father’s native Ireland.
A determined Fowler tussles with world-class defender Keira Walsh in Australia’s win over England in April. She will draw on that determination in the World Cup as the Matildas look to challenge for the title
No emotion, this is business. Serious, playing-for-sheep-stations business, come July 20.
‘If I do get that chance to do that, to walk out there (in the World Cup opener), I don’t think I’m going to be thinking about anything except for the game and doing my my s**t,’ a determined Fowler said.
‘I’ll be ready, and I think that’s kind of how you have to see things. You just have to be so prepared so that while it isn’t an ordinary game, it will become just another football match.
‘I like to simplify everything because it takes all that pressure and all that expectation away.
‘So I just know if I get that chance to walk out there, I will have a clear head. I’ll be ready and I won’t be thinking about anything.
‘Not about the fans, not about my friends, my family, not about how I’ve gotten to that place. Nothing. It will just be about the game.’
