He was an Australian legend at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar – here is why this Socceroo is now fighting just to make the squad

Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie hasn’t given up hope of a Socceroos recall, but says he must start the A-League season well to force his way into the plans of recently appointed national team boss Tony Popovic.

The Popovic era started in a positive manner on Thursday night, with Australia beating China 3-1 at Adelaide Oval.

Leckie, 33, wasn’t included in Popovic’s squad for the current international window, and also wasn’t selected last month by then Socceroos coach Graham Arnold for Australia’s 1-0 loss to Bahrain and 0-0 draw with Indonesia.

The versatile attacker’s cause hasn’t been helped by the A-League season not starting until October 18.

‘Of course I’d love to be there now (in the Socceroos squad),’ Leckie said.

‘I always love going to the national team and playing for Australia, but this time of the year is always difficult for A-League players, and also especially for me.

‘I haven’t always really been able to get too many games under my belt.’

Which is why the first few weeks of the A-League season will be crucial to Leckie’s hopes of being selected in Australia’s squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie hasn’t given up hope of a Socceroos recall, but knows he must start the A-League season well to force his way into the plans of coach Tony Popovic

Leckie became an instant Socceroos legend after his goal against Denmark ensured qualification into the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

‘What I’m focusing on most at the moment is just starting the season off, playing well, playing consistent games, (and) getting some consistent minutes – then it’s up to the coach,’ the 2022 World Cup hero said.

‘There’s been a change there, and `Popa’ will have his ideas. If I’m in them, great. I’ll just try to do my thing on the field for [Melbourne] City to give myself every opportunity of being picked again (for the Socceroos).’

Leckie was fully understanding of Arnold’s decision last month to stand down as national coach after six years in charge.

‘He made it pretty clear that he had probably been thinking about it for a while, and if he thought he wasn’t not the right man to do it anymore, that’s completely understandable,’ he said.

‘For him to say that he should walk away, it wouldn’t have been easy to do, but he’s done it for himself and for the national team as well.’

Melbourne City starts its new A-League campaign on October 19 against the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium, with Leckie intent on helping his club regain its status as a title contender after just scraping into the top six last season and being knocked out in the first week of the finals.

‘If you start the season slowly, you feel like you’re just playing catch-up and that definitely was the feeling last season,’ he said.

‘Hopefully we can start well, and build from there.’