2022 was set to be a defining year of Simone Magill’s career.
The striker would lead the line for Northern Ireland at Euro 2022 after firing her country to a first women’s major tournament.
Before the Euros, the 28-year-old had secured a move to Aston Villa from Everton, which had ended a nine-year stint on Merseyside.
It was all exciting, it was all fresh, it was all new.
However, in a cruel twist, Magill ruptured her ACL in Northern Ireland’s opening game with Norway and her year was put on hold.
“This year was massive in terms of the Euros and everything,” Magill told BBC Sport. “I’d been at Everton for years, and I don’t know if I was just falling out of love with football, or what it was, and that is why I was so excited for a new chapter with Villa.
“After my operation I tried to take a moment to reflect. You ask yourself, ‘why did it happen to me?’.
“I’m hoping that when I’m back playing there will be a moment where I’ll go, ‘that’s why it had to happen’.
“It is going to be really special when I get back because this time will allow me to reflect and process how much the game means to me.”