1. Overview
Ellie Madison Carpenter (born 28 April 2000) is an Australian professional soccer player who primarily plays as a defender for French Première Ligue club Lyon and the Australia national team. Carpenter is recognized globally as one of the top female defenders in the world. She embarked on her professional career at an exceptionally young age, making her W-League debut at 15.
Carpenter holds several significant records, including being the first Australian international soccer player, male or female, to be born in the 2000s, making her debut for the Australia national team at just 15 years old. She was also the youngest Australian competitor at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the youngest-ever female footballer to compete at the Olympics. In the United States, she became the youngest player to appear in an NWSL game and the youngest to score a goal in the league at age 18. Her accolades include being named the W-League's Young Footballer of the Year for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. Notably, Carpenter is the only Australian woman to win the UEFA Women's Champions League, securing titles with Lyon in 2020 and 2022.
2. Early life and education
Ellie Carpenter's early life was marked by her birth in rural New South Wales and her dedicated pursuit of soccer from a young age, which heavily influenced her educational path.
2.1. Childhood and family
Ellie Madison Carpenter was born on 28 April 2000 in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia, a town situated approximately 186 mile (300 km) west of Sydney. She grew up on a farm in Cowra, where both of her parents worked as physical education teachers. Her childhood involved regular and extensive travels to play soccer in various locations, including Young, Canberra, and Sydney.
2.2. Education and early development
Carpenter attended both Cowra Public School and Mulyan Public School during her early years. At the age of 12, her family made the significant decision to relocate to Sydney to allow her to attend Westfields Sports High School, a specialized sports institution. This move underscored her commitment to developing her athletic career. By age 17, Carpenter chose to leave high school to fully dedicate herself to her professional soccer career.
3. Club career
Ellie Carpenter has established a distinguished club career across Australia and the United States, culminating in her current successful tenure in France.
3.1. Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Carpenter began her professional club career by joining Western Sydney Wanderers in September 2015. During the 2015-16 W-League season, she played as a starting defender in all twelve matches. The Wanderers concluded the regular season in seventh place with a record of three wins, six losses, and three draws. Her strong performance in her debut season, particularly as a versatile right-back who frequently contributed to offensive plays with overlapping runs and crosses, led to her first call-up to a training camp with the Matildas in November 2015, despite being only 15 years old. She continued with the Wanderers for the 2016-17 season, playing in eleven matches with no goals scored.
3.2. Canberra United FC
In August 2017, Carpenter signed with Canberra United for the 2017-18 W-League season. She was a starting defender in 10 of the 11 games she played, scoring two goals. Her first goal for the team came on 7 January 2018, during a decisive 6-1 victory over Adelaide United. Her second goal was the lone goal for Canberra United in a 5-1 loss to Newcastle Jets on 28 January. Canberra finished the regular season in fifth place with five wins, six losses, and one draw. Following this season, she was honored with the league's Young Footballer of the Year award.
During the 2018-19 season, Carpenter scored her first goal in the team's opening match, a 2-0 win against Melbourne City. She netted her second goal of the season during a 2-2 draw against her former club, Western Sydney Wanderers, on 7 December 2018. This particular goal was considered controversial as the Wanderers' goalkeeper was down injured at the time. Canberra finished in eighth place with a record of three wins, four losses, and four draws. For the second consecutive time, Carpenter was named the Young Footballer of the Year. In September 2019, Carpenter announced her departure from Canberra United, stating her desire to seek new challenges and experiences after returning from her spell with Portland Thorns.
3.3. Portland Thorns FC
Carpenter made her debut for Portland Thorns FC on 9 May 2018, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history at the age of 18. Just ten days later, she further etched her name in the league's history by becoming its youngest goal scorer, netting the game-winning goal against the Washington Spirit 22 days after her 18th birthday. During the 2018 season, she started in 16 of the 19 games she played as a defender and scored one goal. Portland finished second in the regular season and advanced to the NWSL Playoffs. After defeating Reign FC 2-1 in the semifinals, they were ultimately defeated 3-0 by the North Carolina Courage in the final match.
In the 2019 NWSL season, Carpenter started in 16 of the 19 games she played, without scoring a goal. Portland finished in third place during the regular season and once again qualified for the Playoffs. They were eliminated in the semifinals after a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars.
3.3.1. Melbourne City FC (loan)
In October 2019, Carpenter joined Melbourne City on a one-season loan deal. During her time with the club, she was a starting defender in all 14 matches and scored two goals. On 20 February 2020, Carpenter scored a brace against her former team, Western Sydney Wanderers, contributing significantly to Melbourne City's 4-0 victory and securing the league premiership. Following their advancement to the Final Stages, Carpenter played a crucial role in Melbourne City's triumph in the Grand Final, where they defeated Sydney FC 1-0. In July 2020, she was awarded the Young Footballer of the Year for the third consecutive time, a testament to her consistent performance.
3.4. Olympique Lyonnais Féminin
In June 2020, Portland Thorns FC announced Carpenter's transfer to Lyon, a leading French club. On 3 July, she officially signed a contract that would extend until 2023. Her debut for Lyon took place on 14 August 2020, in a 4-0 friendly victory against PSV Eindhoven, where she also provided an assist to Nikita Parris. Carpenter scored her first goal for Lyon on 27 September in a 2-1 win against Bordeaux. She was an unused substitute in Lyon's 2020 UEFA Women's Champions League final victory over Wolfsburg.
Carpenter secured her second UEFA Women's Champions League title in 2022 when Lyon defeated Barcelona 3-1 in the final. However, she was forced to leave the match early due to an injury sustained within the first 20 minutes. On 28 June 2022, Lyon demonstrated their commitment to Carpenter by extending her contract until 30 June 2026.
4. International career
Ellie Carpenter has been a consistent presence in the Australian national football setup, representing her country at various youth levels before becoming a key member of the senior national team, the Matildas.
4.1. Youth national teams
Carpenter's international journey began at the age of 14 when she received her first call-up to the under-17 team for the 2015 AFC U-16 Championship qualification in September 2014. She made her debut for the under-17 team in a qualification match against Vietnam, playing the full match in a 6-0 victory. She has also represented Australia at the under-20 national team level.
4.2. Senior national team
At the age of 15, Carpenter earned her first cap for the senior national team, the Matildas, on 2 March 2016, in a dominant 9-0 win against Vietnam during the 2015-16 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. This appearance made her the first Australian international player, male or female, born since the year 2000. Reflecting on her debut, she commented on the challenge of maintaining concentration but felt she composed herself well. She primarily plays in the right-back position for the national team.
4.2.1. Olympic appearances
In July 2016, Carpenter was selected for the Matildas squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics. At just 16 years old, she became the youngest Australian competitor at the 2016 Rio Games and the youngest-ever female footballer to participate in the Olympics. The Matildas finished third in their group, qualifying as the best third-place team. They were ultimately defeated by Brazil in a tense penalty kick shootout during the quarterfinals.
Carpenter was also a member of the Matildas squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The team successfully qualified for the quarter-finals, where they triumphed over Great Britain. However, their Olympic campaign ended in the semi-finals with a loss to Sweden. In the playoff for the bronze medal, they were beaten by the USA.
On 4 June 2024, Carpenter was named to the Matildas team for the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking her third consecutive selection for the Olympic Games.
4.2.2. FIFA Women's World Cup appearances
At 19 years old, Carpenter made her FIFA Women's World Cup debut at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. Her first match was a 2-1 loss to Italy in the Group Stage. The team rebounded in their second Group Stage match with a notable 3-2 victory over Brazil, making them only the second team in tournament history to win after overcoming a two-goal deficit. After securing second place in their group with a 4-1 win against Jamaica, the Matildas advanced to the Round of 16, where they faced Norway and were ultimately defeated in a penalty shootout.
On 3 July 2023, Carpenter was selected as part of the Matildas squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Carpenter also competed with the Matildas in other international tournaments. In 2017, she participated in the 2017 Tournament of Nations in the United States, which Australia won after a decisive 6-1 victory over Brazil. During a match against the United States, Carpenter sustained an injury when she was directly hit in the face by a ball cleared by an American defender. Despite a bleeding nose, she returned to the field to help the Matildas achieve a 1-1 draw against the then-reigning World Cup champions. In February 2019, Carpenter was named to the Matildas squad for the inaugural 2019 FFA Cup of Nations, where she contributed to Australia winning the Cup.
5. Personal life
Ellie Carpenter's personal life includes her engagement to a fellow professional footballer and her proficiency in a new language. Carpenter is engaged to Daniëlle van de Donk, a Dutch footballer and her teammate at Lyon. Having lived in France since 2020, Carpenter has become fluent in the French language.
6. Reception and honours
Ellie Carpenter has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, reflecting her impact at both club and international levels.
6.1. Honours
Melbourne City
- W-League Premiership: 2019-20
- W-League Championship: 2020
Olympique Lyonnais
- Division 1 Féminine: 2021-22, 2022-23
- Coupe de France Féminine: 2022-23
- Trophée des Championnes: 2023
- UEFA Women's Champions League: 2019-20, 2021-22
Australia
- Tournament of Nations: 2017
- FFA Cup of Nations: 2019
Individual
- AFC Women's International Player of the Year: 2023
- IFFHS AFC Woman Team of the Decade: 2011-2020
- W-League Young Footballer of the Year: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20
- PFA Women's Footballer of the Year
6.2. Criticism and Controversies
During her tenure with Canberra United in the 2018-19 season, Ellie Carpenter scored a goal against her former team, Western Sydney Wanderers, on 7 December 2018, which resulted in a 2-2 draw. This goal was considered controversial by some due to the Wanderers' goalkeeper being injured and on the ground at the time.
7. Career statistics
Detailed match appearance and goal records for Ellie Carpenter's professional career are presented below.
7.1. Club statistics
The following table shows Ellie Carpenter's club appearances and goals by club, season, and competition, updated as of 24 January 2024.
| Club | Season | League | National Cup (including Coupe de France) | Continental (including UEFA Women's Champions League) | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 2015-16 | W-League | 12 | 0 | - | - | - | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2016-17 | W-League | 11 | 0 | - | - | - | 11 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 23 | 0 | - | - | - | 23 | 0 | |||||
| Canberra United | 2017-18 | W-League | 10 | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | 2 | |||
| 2018-19 | W-League | 11 | 3 | - | - | - | 11 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 21 | 5 | - | - | - | 21 | 5 | |||||
| Portland Thorns | 2018 | NWSL | 19 | 1 | - | - | - | 19 | 1 | |||
| 2019 | NWSL | 16 | 0 | - | - | - | 16 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 35 | 1 | - | - | - | 35 | 1 | |||||
| Melbourne City (loan) | 2019-20 | W-League | 14 | 2 | - | - | - | 14 | 2 | |||
| Lyon | 2020-21 | D1 Féminine | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 24 | 1 | |
| 2021-22 | D1 Féminine | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | - | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2022-23 | D1 Féminine | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2023-24 | D1 Féminine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 (Trophée des Championnes) | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 78 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 143 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 171 | 9 | ||
7.2. International statistics
The following table shows Ellie Carpenter's international appearances and goals by national team and year, updated as of 26 October 2023.
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 12 | 1 | |
| Total | 71 | 4 | |
Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, with the score column indicating the score after each Carpenter goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 March 2017 | Albufeira Municipal Stadium, Albufeira, Portugal | China | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2017 Algarve Cup |
| 2 | 21 January 2021 | Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai, India | Indonesia | 7-0 | 18-0 | 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| 3 | 10-0 | |||||
| 4 | 26 October 2023 | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia | Iran | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |