Christian Montegan 
Hayley Raso during Matildas training. Photo: Football Australia
Spanish giants Real Madrid announced that Matildas winger Hayley Raso will depart the club on Sunday, just one year after signing to become the first Australian to play for Los Blancos.
In a frustrating season looking on from the bench for the majority of the season in Liga F, both parties felt it was necessary to part ways.
In a statement posted on X, Raso paid tribute to Madrid and admitted that the time is now for a new adventure.
Attention now turns to what viable and realistic clubs are available for the 29-year-old to seriously ponder – now at a stage in her career where these types of decisions are pivotal.
Arsenal, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain have been touted as possible ports of call, but with the incredible amount of depth in Raso’s position in the wide areas, does she want to risk playing limited minutes once again or make her mark in an environment that appreciates her undoubted ability?
In August 2018, Raso experienced a sickening collision in a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match that resulted in three vertebrae breaks in her back, and the fear that she may never walk again.
A move back to America seems unlikely if a tweet back in 2022 is anything to go by, taking aim at the medical care provided in the league which forecasted dark memories on a personal level.
That being said, here are three clubs that Raso should consider in a bid to revive her career:
Manchester United: WSL
The Women’s Super League (WSL) in England will be number one on most Matildas fans’ wish list when it comes to Raso’s potential new club. The question is though, which team has the best chance at offering maximum minutes?
Manchester United, recent FA Cup champions, could fit the bill.
30-year-old Leah Galton produced her worst season in the WSL on the stats sheet with five-goal contributions; whilst versatile Spanish forward Lucía García struggled to fit into her surroundings and only managed three goals and three assists, a player blessed with attacking quality, but yet found it difficult to combine with her teammates in an average squad, who finished fifth in the league last season.
If there is one negative to point out if Raso were to make the switch to the red side of Manchester, it would be just that, the colour, having previously spent two years in City blue. But, Raso could become one of the key influential figures in the starting eleven and stamp her authority.
The 87-time capped Matilda knows what to expect in the WSL, previously plying her trade at Everton for a season, as well as that stint at Manchester City.
Juventus: Serie A
Australian coach Joe Montemurro was sensationally sacked by Juventus just six months after he had signed a three-year contract extension, so you may be wondering why this would be a fitting destination for Raso without the Aussie connection.
The Italian powerhouse currently find themselves rebuilding for the future, with the likes of Cristiana Girelli (34) and Barbara Bonansea (33) edging toward the twilight of their respective careers.
This is where Raso falls into the equation, as the 29-year-old could be viewed as the perfect replacement in an ageing forward line to take over the mantle and make Italy’s most successful club her oyster.
Arianna Caruso, Sofia Cantore and Paulina Nyström are all valuable pieces that the club can plan around, and the thought of Raso and Holland’s Lineth Beerensteyn tearing it apart on both flanks has all the makings of a lethal pairing for the club to continue doing what they do best – winning.
Learning a new culture and having the opportunity to learn a new tactical craft in the Italian game could also bode well in terms of Raso’s tactical ability and awareness, to develop her game further.
Sydney FC: A-League
Raso’s former A-League clubs, Brisbane Roar and Canberra United, would be the two obvious choices given her familiarity within the four walls of those two teams, if returning back to Australia was at all on the cards. However, the instability and uncertainties surrounding Brisbane and Canberra are not a risk that should be taken.
The departure of Cortnee Vine has opened up space for Ante Juric’s Sydney FC to acquire a high-calibre replacement on the right wing, where Raso can fill the empty void.
They have also added a number nine in Millie Farrow from Perth Glory to bolster the attack, adding to the depth of talent with Princess Ibini – it could be a scary proposition for the rest of the competition next season.
If Raso were to move back down under, it needs to be for a top club built to win trophies and are not in a rebuilding phase, which could derail Raso’s hopes of future national team callups.
At her age, the A-Leagues would arguably be a step down in her career with all due respect, given her talent and experience in Europe. This move would be the absolute last resort.