But today even she knows she is the leader Canberra United needs as they make clear their desire to snap the club's A-League Women's championship drought this season.

That's why, over a coffee with Canberra coach Vicki Linton, Heyman took the armband. That's why she will lead United into their season opener against Melbourne City at Viking Park on Friday night.

"Maybe five years ago it would have been a lot of pressure to put on my shoulders, but now I think I've matured over the years and I'm ready to take that responsibility and to lift the team with that," Heyman said.

"I don't have the Matildas knocking on my door telling me how to play. It's more personal now, it's more about how I want to play and the way I feel on the field.

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"It drops so much pressure, I just go out there every game wanting to score goals. If I can continue with that mindset, I think it's my successful way of playing football.

"For now, to wear that armband, I'm not going to have any pressure. I'm just going to do the same thing as last year, have some fun, smile, run around and kick some goals.

"My family is coming down [to watch on Friday], I haven't seen mum in I don't know how long. It's going to be such a nice feeling to put on this jersey and walk out into that crowd and just play the game I love."

She has both the smile and personality to light up a room, but Heyman is a leader by action.

The reigning Julie Dolan Medallist might not be one for grandiose speeches. She wants her boot to do the talking.

United mentor Linton knows this perhaps better than anyone. But as she slowly assembled her squad for the 2021-22 campaign, Heyman had emerged as the leading contender for the role.

Conversations between the pair at the back end of last season had planted the seed, now she will turn to Heyman to help Canberra back up their return to the top four.

But she won't have to do it all alone, nor will Heyman be asked to be someone she is not. That's why Linton will turn to the likes of Ash Sykes, who returns after a hiatus from the elite level, and Grace Maher to add their voice.

"She speaks when she needs to. She needs to lead in the way that is within her style," Linton said.

"To be honest, she inspires and she does that really well. Michelle will speak when she needs to. What she brings is strong in her leadership and there's no issue in how she does that.

"One of the best things she brings is her positivity, and brings a smile to everyone. She's got a smile on her face when she turns up, she's always enjoying it. She also drives players at training. She sets standards, she drives the team at training, she obviously drives the team in games.

"The number of conversations she and I have in regards to what is going on in the team and how can we make things better, she's always working out 'how can we make things better?'

"That's one of the things people don't see. That's a great asset for us. She cares about this team, cares about this club, and she's giving everything she's got."

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