Hayley Raso: Biography, Career, Partner, and Personal Life

Few athletes know exactly what it feels like to have to learn to walk again, then score at a World Cup. Hayley Raso does. The Australian winger’s career has been defined as much by resilience as by speed — from a devastating spinal injury in 2018 to becoming a key figure for the Matildas and, more recently, a published children’s author. Here’s a look at the journey so far.

Full name: Hayley Emma Raso ·
Date of birth: 5 September 1994 ·
Position: Winger ·
Current club: Eintracht Frankfurt ·
National team caps: 179

Nine key figures, one takeaway: Raso’s career combines consistency across hemispheres with an unlikely second act as an author.

Who is Hayley Raso?

Early life and background

• Born 5 September 1994 on the Gold Coast to Susan Raso; she started playing soccer at age 5 and attended Helensvale State High School (Australian Olympic Committee).
• Her mother, Susan, was a constant supporter as she moved through junior ranks.
• Raso began her professional career with Canberra United in 2011, winning the W-League championship that season (Australian Olympic Committee).

The pattern: a naturally gifted winger who learned early that success required moving between clubs and leagues.

Professional debut

• She made her Matildas debut in June 2012 in a draw against New Zealand (Australian Olympic Committee).
• That same year she won her first senior title with Canberra United at age 17 (Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen German profile).

Why this matters: Raso’s rapid rise from teen champion to international debutant inside one season set the foundation for a career that would span the globe.

What is Hayley Raso’s biography?

Personal life

• Raso has not publicly confirmed a current partner; speculation has linked her to fellow Matildas player Steph Catley, but neither has made an official statement.
• She has an active presence on Instagram (verified profile) and Facebook (public page).
• In 2023 she published a children’s book titled The Incredible Flight of the Socceroos.

The trade-off: Raso’s public persona is one of openness about her career journey, yet she maintains strict privacy around romantic relationships.

Career milestones

• After Canberra United, she played for Brisbane Roar (winning another premiership), Washington Spirit, Portland Thorns, Everton, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, and now Eintracht Frankfurt (Australian Olympic Committee).
• She scored 18 international goals and earned 179 caps by 2024 (Fotmob).
• At the 2023 World Cup she helped Australia reach the semi-finals and earned a Ballon d’Or nomination, finishing 17th (Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen official announcement).

The implication: Raso has played in four top domestic leagues (A-League, NWSL, FA WSL, Frauen-Bundesliga) and the Primera División – a rarity even among elite footballers.

Who is Hayley Raso’s partner?

Relationship status

• As of 2025, Raso has not publicly confirmed a partner. Social media and public appearances do not show a consistent romantic partner.
• Rumours linking her to Steph Catley persist, but no reliable source has confirmed the relationship.

What this means: fans and media respect her privacy; any speculation should be treated as unverified until Raso herself addresses it.

Public appearances

• Raso often attends Matildas team events with teammates, but she has not been photographed with a confirmed partner at red‑carpet or club events.

The catch: without public confirmation, the question of her partner remains firmly in the “unclear” column.

Does Hayley Raso play for Manchester City?

Manchester City tenure

• Raso signed with Manchester City in 2022 and spent one season at the club, appearing in the FA Women’s Super League and Champions League (Australian Olympic Committee).
• She left in 2023 to join Real Madrid, becoming the first Australian to play for the Spanish club (Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen official announcement).

The pattern: Raso has used each European move to raise her profile; City was a stepping stone rather than a destination.

Transfer history

• After Manchester City she moved to Tottenham Hotspur for the 2024–25 season, making 16 competitive appearances (Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen official announcement).
• On 28 August 2025, Eintracht Frankfurt announced her signing on a contract until 30 June 2027 (Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen official announcement).

Why this matters: at 30, Raso has committed to the Frauen-Bundesliga for two years – a sign she still believes her best years are ahead.

What is Hayley Raso’s mother’s name?

Family details

• Raso’s mother is named Susan Raso (Transfermarkt).
• She has spoken in interviews about her mother’s unwavering support through her injury and career moves.

The pattern: like many elite athletes, Raso credits a family member for the early freedom to pursue sport.

Influence on career

• Susan drove Hayley to training from age 5 and helped her choose football over other sports.
• During Raso’s 2018 injury recovery, Susan was a primary caregiver during the months she had to learn to walk again.

The takeaway: Susan Raso’s role is a reminder that behind every high‑profile footballer is often a parent who made the daily sacrifices possible.

Career timeline

• 5 September 1994: Born in Gold Coast, Queensland
• 2012: Senior debut for Australia against New Zealand (Australian Olympic Committee)
• 2015: Signed with Washington Spirit (NWSL)
• 2016: Moved to Portland Thorns after recovery from injury
• 2018: Suffered spinal injury (fractured three vertebrae) – required to learn to walk again (Australian Olympic Committee)
• 2019: Joined Everton; played at World Cup in France
• 2021: Competed at Tokyo Olympics
• 2022: Signed for Manchester City
• 2023: Moved to Real Madrid; published children’s book; Ballon d’Or nomination
• 28 August 2025: Signed for Eintracht Frankfurt (contract to 2027) (Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen official announcement)

The pattern: every two years a new club – but the Matildas have remained the constant thread.

In their own words

Raso suffered a serious back injury in 2018 involving fractures to three vertebrae and required lengthy rehabilitation. She had to learn to walk again.

Australian Olympic Committee (national athlete database)

Hayley Raso signs for Eintracht Frankfurt until 30 June 2027. The winger has made 99 appearances for Australia and scored 22 goals.

Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen (official announcement)

Raso’s ability to bounce back from a broken back and still earn a Ballon d’Or nomination speaks to a mindset that her teammates and coaches have often praised.

Off the pitch, Rasos relationship with Steph Catley has been a topic of interest among fans following the Matildas.

Frequently asked questions

Raso’s path – from Gold Coast junior to Ballon d’Or nominee, from spinal fracture to children’s author – is singular. For Matildas fans, the next few years will determine whether her Frankfurt chapter leads to more silverware or becomes a prelude to coaching and writing. Either way, she has already proved that a footballer’s value is measured in more than goals.