Mariel Hecher will miss the rest of the Liberty A-League season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Brisbane Roar’s win on Saturday.
The Brazilian forward came on as a substitute in the second half but in added time as she chased down a ball Hecher went down in the process.
Hecher said she was devastated to find out she had torn her ACL.
“I knew straight away when I went on the ground that it was it,” she said.
“I was pretty upset but everyone has been amazing and very supportive which does help you to get in good spirits.
“I know they’re going to be wearing the jersey for me even more now that I won’t be playing and they’re supporting me in every single way, I’m so lucky to have them.”
Hecher has already started to prepare herself for the road back to football.
It is the second time she has torn her ACL – tearing her left one in 2011 while living in Brazil, so knows what to expect during the process.
“You know it’s a long run,” Hecher said.
“You got to be patient, and for me, that’s hard because I’m a little bit impatient but I know I have a lot of people supporting me and around me so it’s been pretty good knowing that.
“It helps you mentally to keep going, the girls have been amazing, the staff have been amazing and I can only praise them.
“It’s just one of those things, it’s just time.”
With the 30-year-old set to head into surgery on Wednesday, it has been a blessing in disguise for Hecher to get in so quickly, allowing her to start focussing on the next step in her rehabilitation.
“It’s a mind game, you try to keep yourself positive as much as you can, there will be days that will be hard but you see the bigger picture that you want to come back stronger, you want to come back and help the team,” she said.
“I feel like I’m letting the team down this year but all I can do now is be there for the girls for the rest of the season to support them in the way that I can.”
Brisbane Roar wishes Mariel a speedy recovery.
