Catarina Macario Chelsea Women 2023-24Getty
Harry Sherlock

Catarina Macario 'beyond grateful' after making USWNT return in Japan victory following painful ACL injury recovery

Catarina Macario says she is "beyond grateful" to have made her return for the United States women's national team against Japan.

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  • Macario came off the bench in 2-1 win
  • Chelsea star had been out for almost two years
  • Struggled with injury blows

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Macario made her return for the USWNT in the SheBelieves Cup against Japan, as her side came from behind to win 2-1. The midfielder had missed 641 days through a torn ACL and during her recovery, her contract with Lyon expired and she joined Chelsea. Now back fit, she has returned to the national team setup, just in time for the build-up to the Olympics.

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  • Catarina Macario Chelsea Women 2023-24Getty

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Macario admitted it was "devastating" to miss the World Cup in 2023, as she watched on while they were eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16. In 2023-24, she has played three times for the Blues and has scored once. In 2021-22, her last season before the injury, she netted 14 times for Lyon in just 20 games, and it appears her ACL injury has done nothing to diminish her talent.

  • WHAT MACARIO POSTED

    On Instagram, she simply posted a picture of herself in the USWNT kit, with the words: "Beyond grateful."

    Catarina Macario Instagram@catarina_macario
  • Catarina Macario Chelsea Women 2023-24Getty

    WHAT NEXT?

    USWNT play Canada on Wednesday in the final of the SheBelieves Cup. Macario will be aiming to make a decisive impact before she returns to Chelsea ahead of their women's FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United on April 14.