'I want to play for mum' – Arsenal's Cooney-Cross
Arsenal midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross is preparing to play her first match at Emirates Stadium since the death of her mother from bile duct cancer. She expressed her intention to honor her mother's memory and sacrifices through her performance on the pitch.
Why it matters
This human-interest story highlights the personal challenges faced by professional athletes and the emotional toll of cancer on families.
Figure caption, 'I want to play for mum' – Arsenal's Cooney-Cross
Women’s Sport Reporter Published 22 minutes ago Arsenal's Emirates Stadium will be full of noise when midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross steps on to the pitch this Sunday to face Crystal Palace.
But there will be one important person missing from the crowd: her mother, Jess.
The Australia midfielder will play at the stadium for the first time since losing her mum to cancer two months ago. It is something she says she has been taking "one day at a time".
"I know mum would want me here playing and training," she told BBC Sport. "And I want to play for the fans as well, to say thank you to them.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in