Kyra Cooney-Cross is a long way from Londonโs Emirates Stadium, but Arsenalโs home ground was symbolically close to her during Saturdayโs Womenโs Super League match against Manchester United.
Days after the Matildas midfielder rushed back to Australia to be with her mother, Jess, who has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, her club teammates and supporters offered a series of moving tributes.
Arsenal player warm up wearing shirts in support Kyra Cooney-Crossโ severaly ill mother JessCredit: Getty Images
Cooney-Cross shared late last week that she had left her club duties in North London and flown to Queensland, where Jess is in hospital with Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma – bile duct cancer – for which there is no cure.
โMy mum is my hero, my best friend, my everything, and the person who has shaped every part of who I am,โ she posted on Instagram.
โShe is the reason I am where I am today, her strength, love, and belief in me has carried me through everything. Trying to put into words what she means to me feels impossible.
Kyra Cooney-Cross revealed her motherโs rare and aggressive cancer diagnosis last week.Credit: Instagram
โIโm now back in Australia to be with my mum, my sisters, and our family as we navigate what comes next. We are all still in shock and learning how to sit with the weight of this news.โ
A couple of days later, 37,000 spectators watched from the stands as the Arsenal squad – including Matildas teammates Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord – completed their pre-match warm-up wearing shirts emblazoned with the 23-year-oldโs name and playing number, 32.
A group of supporters had marched to the Emirates holding โWe love you Kyra and Jessโ signs, which they raised to applause in the 32nd minute.
