Everton’s Aurora Galli has faced a challenging 20-month journey back from a severe knee injury that left her sidelined and emotionally strained. The turning point occurred on September 2024, during the first game of the Women’s Super League season against Brighton, where she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament after an attempt to challenge for the ball.

Reflecting on that fateful day, Galli recalls, "The night before, I couldn’t sleep very well but I dreamt about my ACL." The moment she went down was traumatic, and despite her stubbornness, she felt the immediate impact of her injury. "Football was why I wake up in the morning," she admits, revealing the emotional toll it took on her.

Determined to return, Galli set her sights on the 2025 European Championship. "I had a Euros to go to," she states, emphasizing her commitment to recovery. With support from medical staff, she pushed through her rehabilitation, making a brief return on the final day of the 2024-25 season against Tottenham. Though not named in the final national squad, she celebrated her teammates reaching the semi-finals.

Galli's comeback was not without setbacks, as she faced swelling in her knee during pre-season training. "That is what I learned for the second time [needing to take care of her body]," she reflects, acknowledging the need for balance in her recovery.

As Everton’s season progressed under interim manager Scott Phelan, Galli made five starts, contributing to the team's improvement. She describes Everton as a family, where she has thrived since joining at 24, becoming the first Italian in the WSL.

Looking ahead, Galli plans to spend her summer break attending a friend’s wedding and enjoying a holiday with her partner, Chelsea’s Nathalie Björn. With a World Cup on the horizon, she embraces the changes brought by her injury, stating, "It changes the way you are thinking, so it’s more about growing and accepting the change."