It’s been a phenomenal year for Kerr which began with being named 2018 Young Australian of the Year, being shortlisted for the inaugural women's Ballon d'Or and becoming the first ever female marquee player.

The Matildas striker not only joined Dwight Yorke, Alessandro Del Piero and Tim Cahill but benefited from the same marquee fund that brought Japan superstar Keisuke Honda to the A-League.

On the pitch the striker scored 16 goals in 19 games for Chicago Red Stars to win National Women's Soccer League golden boot for the second consecutive time.

Topflight marquees: Sam Kerr and Keisuke Honda

After knocking back offers to play in Europe, Kerr revealed she isn’t under pressure to live up to her superstar tag.

“I’ve earnt that marquee title,” the 24-year-old said in front of a packed media gallery at today’s joint W-League and A-League season launch.

“It was based on things that I’ve done previously, it doesn’t have any impact on what’s going to be this season.

"If people are worried more about me hopefully my teammates can step up and score some more goals and make a name for themselves.

“It’s a huge honour and it’s something I’m really proud of and it’s big step for women’s football in the right direction.

“Hopefully one day there could be one for every team which would be well deserved for the girls."

With the A-League beginning this weekend and the W-League the week after, the 2018-19 season launch featured stars from both competitions sharing the limelight at Sydney Fox Studios.

FFA CEO David Gallop revealed that having both seasons launched together was down to the Matildas superstar ability to transcend the women’s game.

“We have really moved to a stage where players like Sam (Kerr) are not just inspiring girls and women to play the game but also inspiring men and boys as well, he said.

“The two competitions are becoming more and more about the skill the level and what you see on the pitch.

“So it all adds in many respects that whole is greater than the  sum of the parts now we can align the two competitions and get benefits from that alignment

Gallop added that women's football was ahead of many other summer sports.

“Our female players are performing and that is something that we need to continue to promote," he said.

It’s a fantastic competition the W-League our Matildas are World Cup contenders we can be confident of where they are at out on the pitch.”

Picture source: Cameron Lilley @behindtheimagestudios