She’s the woman with the ribbon in her hair, and a player who’s tenacity has captured the hearts of Australia.
Hayley Raso is no stranger to challenges, and this Nike athlete always tries to find resilience by drawing on the presence and calm from within herself. When asked about her back injury earlier in her career Raso said, “if you don’t have the mentality, that strong mentality, you probably can’t get through it.” But of course, she credits her mum for staying by her side through it all.
For now, her eyes are set firmly on the 2025/2026 Europa cup – which she is currently competing for with her German club team Eintracht Frankfurt – and the 2026 Asian Cup where the Matildas will compete and Australia plays host. But in the long term, Raso prefers to take things day-by-day. “When I was younger, I had this plan of how I saw my future and how I saw my life going and along the way that path has just changes so so so many times,” she said.
Ahead of the Matildas friendly game against New Zealand, we caught up with the international star player and children’s book author to talk about her favourite part of coming home, the pressure of the game, and what kind of music will be on her Spotify Wrapped.
What’s your star sign?
Virgo.
Would you describe yourself as an introvert or extrovert?
An extrovert.
What are you listening to right now? Who do you think will be on your Spotify Wrapped?
The truth is I’ve actually been listening to a lot of Spanish music.
Who on the team do you think has the best taste in music?
Ellie Carpenter.
Who on the team is always up to party?
Who’s always up to party? Sam Kerr.
And who always wants to stay in?
I would probably say Meeks.
What’s the last movie you watched?
I don’t often watch movies. Even when I’m on planes I don’t watch movies. I’m more of a TV series person. The one I watched was the Victoria Beckham documentary. I really liked it, it’s great.
How do you like to get in the zone ahead of a big game? How do you manage any anxiety?
Basically, I just try to keep my days pretty calm so that when I’m arrive to the game I’m really relaxed. I get into the zone once I’m there. It’s about challenging energy and staying present. It’s always really exciting the week we’re training for games actually.
What’s the best part of playing club football overseas?
It’s amazing to play football overseas because the leagues are so great. We’re up against the best teams in the world and the top leagues in the world. And the chance to win trophies – in the domestic league but also in the Champion’s league and Europa Cup where we’ve got that opportunity. We’re [Eintracht Frankfurt] into the quarter finals of the Europa Cup so that’s something we’re chasing.
And what’s the best part about coming home?
Seeing my family, Seeing the sun. Enjoying the weather. Eating Australian food and going to the beach!
You’ve battled injury before? What was that experience like? How did you get through it?
It was tough. Injuries are always tough. They’re part of the game but they’re always very challenging.
I obviously went through my back injury, which was one of the hardest moments of my career for sure. I think I got through it with the support of my family. I had my mum by my side the whole time. I suppose mindset too, I was very determined to get myself back and to get myself fit again. It’s probably my strong mentality that pushed me through.
Do you think the mental aspect of injury is almost harder than the physical components?
I think that’s what we’re like as athletes. It’s very mental and we need to make sure in all moments we’re focussed, whether that’s competing on the field or overcoming injury. If you don’t have the mentality, that strong mentality you probably can’t get through it. Because of course, you will heal. You’re physically gonna be okay. You’re going to play again and your muscles and bones will heal. But you have to have the mentality to get through it.
How do you look after yourself amidst the pressure of the game? Do you have any wellness rituals?
I don’t really have any… rituals, or almost rituals. For me its really about staying calm within myself, and staying present in the moment. On the odd occasion I will listen to a wellness-y podcast. Whether that’s one to help you sleep or one that talks about performance or ways to be calm before a game. But for me, it mostly comes from within myself, how I find calm and focus.
You’ve already had an incredible career. What’s a goal that you’re still striving for?
In the near future, the goal that I am striving for is to win the Asian Cup. In terms of club football, to win the Europa Cup. Those are definitely my two short-term goals!
What do you think your younger self would say if she saw you today? And what would you say to her?
I think she would say that she’s proud of me and my resilience. And I would say to her to enjoy the journey and to make sure that I am strong and resilient because I will face a lot of challenges but I will overcome them.
What are you most excited for in the future?
That’s a tough question because I’m not exactly sure. When I was younger, I had this plan of how I saw my future and how I saw my life going and along the way that path has just changes so so so many times. So I don’t have this clear, definite way that I see my future, I just take it day-by-day, year-by-year, step-by-step.
What advice would you give to young people that are wanting to play international football?
To enjoy it, firstly. To be determined, I think it’s really important to be – like the things I would say to my younger self – to be strong, to be resilient, to be determined. And the most important thing, as long as you’re trying your best, you don’t have to be the best player in the world, as long as you’re getting in your best.
Do you have a message for the fans or something that you’d like to say to the fans?
I hope they come out in numbers and support us like they did during the World Cup, because that was absolutely amazing. And we hope to get the same reception, and the same atmosphere and have them spurring us on!
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