*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 December 2024
Michelle Pearl Heyman (born 4 July 1988) is an Australian soccer player and commentator who as of 2024[update] plays for Canberra United FC in the A-League in Australia. She became the all-time record goalscorer in the W-League in March 2021 after scoring her 73rd goal. Heyman first represented Australia in the Matildas in 2010, playing at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the 2015 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. In May 2019, she retired from international football, but returned to the team in January 2024 when she was called up following an injury to Matildas' striker Sam Kerr.
Heyman began playing at the age of 11 with the Warilla Wanderers.[2] She later played for Port Kembla FC and Shellharbour City before signing with Illawarra Stingrays in the New South Wales Women's Super League (now NPL NSW Women's). She has returned to play for the Stingrays several times between W-League seasons.[3][4]
Prior to the beginning of the 2008–09 W-League season, Heyman trialled for Sydney FC. Out of 120 triallists, she was one of only ten to be signed by the club.[2]
Heyman signed from Sydney FC in the off-season to join Central Coast Mariners.[5] On her debut for the Mariners, Heyman scored a double against her old club, Sydney FC.[6]
In 2009, Heyman won the Golden Boot award for most goals scored during the League season along with the Julie Dolan Medal as the 2009 W-League player of the year.[7][8]
In 2010, Heyman signed with Canberra United.[9] During the 2011–12 W-League season, she was the leading goal-scorer in the league as Canberra United won the W-League premiership/championship double.[10]
Heyman spent five months in 2012 playing in Denmark for Brøndby IF. She returned to Canberra United in time for the start of the 2012–13 W-League season.[11]
In 2016, rejoined the Illawarra Stingrays in the NPL NSW Women's competition during the W-League off-season.[13][14]
On 21 July 2018, it was announced that Heyman was leaving Canberra United after eight seasons. She made 93 appearances for Canberra, and scored 56 goals. She won the Golden Boot twice, and won two Championship Titles and three Premierships.[15]
On 24 August 2018, Adelaide United announced they had signed Heyman to a one-year contract for the 2018–19 W-League Season.[16] At the end of the season, Heyman left Adelaide.[17] After a season not playing soccer but rather coaching at a Sydney secondary school, Heyman returned to the W-League, signing with Canberra United.[18]
On 13 January 2024, Heyman became the first W-League player to score 100 league goals following a 50th minute goal against Adelaide United.[19]
International career
Heyman made her debut for the national team, the Matildas, in 2010.[20] She was part of the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup squad that finished the tournament as runners-up.[21] Heyman played five matches for Australia at the 2015 FIFA World Cup.[1][22] At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Heyman played four matches for the Australian team that was eliminated in the quarter finals.[23]
Heyman was named to the Matildas squad for the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup, but she did not appear in any matches. Australia finished runner-up to Japan and qualified for the 2019 FIFA World Cup.[24] In May 2019 Heyman announced her retirement from international football.[25][26] She later revealed that she had been fired from the team, after suffering from a number of physical injuries as well as mental health issues.[27]
In 2024, following an injury to Matildas' striker Sam Kerr, Heyman was called up to the squad for the third round of the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, for two matches against Uzbekistan.[28][29] She scored in her first match back, opening scoring in the 71st minute for a 3-0 victory.[30] In the second match, she scored 4 goals in the first half of the 10-0 victory. Australia qualified for the Olympics.[31]
On 4 June 2024, Heyman was named in the Matildas team that qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, her second Olympic games selection.[32] She scored the game-winning goal in the Matildas' second group stage match, a come-from-behind 6–5 victory over Zambia.[33][34]
^Ritchie, Joel (6 August 2010). "Heyman's in demand". Illawarra Mercury. Fairfax Regional Media. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
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