As Australia’s first-choice goalkeeper, all the heat is on Mackenzie Arnold during every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This isn’t her first appearance with the Matildas, having played with them in the last World Cup and the Olympics.
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When the star signed to play with a club in the UK, she could never have known just how much her life was about to change.
That’s where she met Scottish football player Kirsty Smith. They’ve been in a relationship ever since.
Though the couple tend to keep things private, there’s quite a lot we know about the girls’ relationship – read on to learn more.
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July 2020: Arnold signs for English football club West Ham, and moves to UK to join the team as their goalkeeper.
July 2022: Smith joins West Ham’s team as a defender, coming from Manchester United, as Arnold extends her contract with the team. The couple meet for the first time and hit it off.
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December 2022: Before Arnold heads to Vanuatu for Christmas with her family, the pair celebrate the holiday together in London, both sharing photos from the same street full of fairy lights.
They don’t share any pics together, but Arnold comments on Smith’s post: “London suits ya.”
February 2023: Arnold shares the first photo of Smith to her Instagram, in a carousel of photos from London. The girls are also seen hanging out with Arnold’s fellow Matildas including Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, and Steph Catley.
In a comment, Smith calls her girlfriend her “favourite person”.
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When Arnold returns to Australia at the end of the month to play with the Matildas in the Cup of Nations, Smith comments on a photo of her in action, writing “What a keeper”, with the flaming heart emoji.
March 2023: Their relationship becomes Insta-official, when Arnold shares a selfie of them hugging in a carousel of photos from the past month.
Her teammate Emily Van Egmond comments “soft launch”, referring to the sneaky couple photo.
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April 2023: Smith shares a bunch of throwback photos, including one of the couple hugging under the Christmas lights she’d previously posted.
June 2023: The pair heads to Greece for a cute getaway ahead of the World Cup. In a photo dump shared by Arnold, Smith comments: “Love you” with a white heart emoji.
Smith’s parents also join them in Rhodes.
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July 2023: Arnold is in Australia playing for the Matildas, while Smith remains in the UK. They share cute Instagram comments for each other, Smith writing “Ain’t I lucky” on a photo of Arnold walking on to the pitch.
After the World Cup, Arnold will return to play with West Ham.