As Brisbane fans came out in the thousands to celebrate the Matildas, the Aussie team were surprised with a special performance by one of their favourite singers.
Emerging as the star of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, singer Nikki Webster joined the Matildas on stage at Brisbane’s Riverstage on Sunday for a public celebration following the success of the FIFA World Cup.
The Matildas have been blasting the singer’s triple platinum song ‘Strawberry Kisses’ in their dressing room throughout the entire tournament.
The team were seen singing along with Webster, with captain Sam Kerr taking centre stage to join in the chorus and even sharing the microphone with the Aussie icon.
Ahead of their round 16 win against Denmark on August 17, Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold said the song was a pre-game favourite for the team.
“Strawberry kisses by Nikki Webster has been a team favourite the last couple of weeks,” she said.
“I don’t know where that’s come from. I think actually it was Steph Catley’s favourite song and now we’ve all jumped on the wagon.”
In a social media video, Catley revealed she would listen to the “banger” on repeat as a child.
“It’s iconic. I had it as a CD in my Walkman and it was a single, and I just listened to it over and over again, so it reminds me of my childhood,” she said.
“It’s happiness in a song, and yeah, it just gets me going on my day and in the changeroom right now.”
And the fans loved the surprise cameo too on Sunday, as they cheered on the Matildas at the community thank you event in Brisbane.
More than 5000 people came out in to show their appreciation for the Australian team after their stellar performance in the FIFA World Cup.
The Matildas were given a special honour when handed the keys to the City of Brisbane on Sunday.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the team had inspired “so many more girls” to take up sport.
“Today isn’t about the end of something but the start of something new,” she said.
A statue of the Matildas is also being planned to be built at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane following their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup success and their impact on women’s sport.
Fans wore their Matildas merchandise with pride as they listened intently to their idols, including captain Sam Kerr who dedicated the team’s success to its supporters.
“The fans did this. I mean, we would have played the World Cup with one person in the crowd so for you to pack the stadiums every game, it’s been a dream come true,” Kerr said.
“The fans outside our hotel, outside the stadium, sending messages, wearing the guernseys – we see everything, we appreciate everything.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster for everyone, but it’s been the best four weeks of our lives.”