After receiving his maiden call-up to the Subway Socceroos squad, Max Balard spoke to the media about life at NAC Breda, finding out about the call-up and more as he prepares for a potential debut against Saudi Arabia in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026™ Asian Qualifier on Thursday night.
Balard has excelled at his new club in the Eredivisie, becoming a staple of Breda's midfield with his quality in possession and tenacity without the ball after two exceptional A-League Men's Championship-winning seasons at Central Coast Mariners.
'The Aussie Kante' has been rewarded with a spot in Tony Popovic's new squad, where he'll be looking to make his debut in the famous Green and Gold shirt at 23 years of age.
Here's what he had to say when he faced the media earlier today.
On finding out about the call-up
I was at my house, and I got a text message from Joel, the team manager, and I had to read it twice to make sure that I was in the team and I wasn't just on standby! But I was overjoyed. Of course, I called my parents straight away to let them know, and thankfully they were still awake here in Australia. It was a really nice moment to share with them as well.
On his parents’ reaction
My mum was screaming. My dad was just super happy, holding my mum in his arms. It was a very beautiful moment there. They're just as happy as I am, and I'm over the moon.
On working under Popovic
I'm very excited. He did an amazing job for Melbourne Victory. Unfortunately, we got the win over him in the Grand Final. But I'm really excited to play for him, and really excited to see what we can do here.
On his journey into the Socceroos squad
Both my parents were originally born in France, and they grew up in France, but they moved over a while ago, and they've become Australian citizens themselves. I was born here in Sydney, and I felt like Australia was home from the start. I lived in Australia for three years after I was born, then moved throughout Asia for around 10 years, and then came back around when I was 16-17 years old.
I finished high school in Sydney, and then went through the [Central Coast] Mariners Academy, managed to get to the first team with the Mariners, and then we had a lovely couple of seasons. And thankfully, I got my opportunity overseas in Europe, and I'm super happy. It's just been a crazy journey so far, and I think it just shows how football is a crazy world.
On breaking into the squad
The boys that have been here in the past have done an amazing job. I've just been lucky enough to get my opportunity this time around, and I think my biggest strengths are that I'm comfortable on the ball. I like to receive the ball under pressure sometimes, and also I'm hard working defensively. I like to work hard for the team, to do the dirty meters, and hopefully, that will help out some of the boys, to free them up to do their job up top.
On moving to NAC Breda
So I had a few opportunities before NAC. There was potentially a club in Portugal that I was maybe going to go to. Unfortunately, that fell through but when NAC came through, and they gave me an offer, and they showed how much they wanted me at the club, I knew straight away that it was a great opportunity for me. It was, it was very important for me to keep playing, especially in Europe, to show that I'm able to compete in Europe and to play in the Dutch Eredivisie, a league that's well renowned throughout the world. I think it was a league that suited me, a club that showed a lot of confidence in me and wanted me to be there. So I think it was the perfect fit for me. And so far, it's been pretty good.
On beating Ajax in his first home game
That was a surreal experience. I think it was the first time in 17 years that NAC Breda has beat an Ajax side and it was an amazing experience. At home as well, playing players that you've watched highlights of your whole life here in Australia, even players that you admire, you've got Jordan Henderson who was on the bench, for example, who's played in Champions League finals, won the Champions League. It was an amazing experience to be able to play against such a top team and I think there are many top teams in the Eredivisie as well. It's pretty surreal, to be honest, but I'm just trying to do my best, and to beat Ajax is a very special moment for me in my career.
On the step up in the Netherlands
I think that was the biggest difference for me. When I first arrived, my first few training sessions over there, I realized that everyone in the team is switched on, not just in games, but even in training sessions. You don't have the luxury of time in those training sessions. If your first touch isn't good, forget about your second. And most of the time you don't even have time to take two. It's very special to be playing in a league where that is the case.
On his nickname ‘the Aussie Kante’
I'm very flattered by it. I think it's the supporters from Breda in the Netherlands have given me that name. [N'Golo] Kante is a top player, I must say, but I'm very flattered. I think I'm just doing my job over there. The coach has given me a lot of confidence. The supporters have been amazing as well, making me feel at home over there. When you're by yourself on the other side of the world, it can be a bit tough sometimes, but for me, it's been very easy. I can't complain, touch wood, but, I've had an amazing start to life over there, and am just really enjoying my football.
On his preferred position and his strong defensive stats
I think as a 6, naturally, I feel most comfortable there, but I've played in positions where you're a bit higher up the field as well, or more defensive as well. So I'm very flexible with the position. But I am a 6 that does like to get forward sometimes and have a little dribble from time to time as well. I think I've shown that especially in the A-League towards the end of last season. I think at the moment, with how the club is going in the Netherlands and the teams we're facing, sometimes I have to do a bit more work in defence, especially against the big teams like Ajax and PSV, so that's why I think these defensive metrics come out. But I'm very flexible with both sides of the game.
On the quality of the Socceroos squad
The quality in the team, not only myself, but the team is unbelievable. We've got players playing in Europe who were playing in the biggest stadiums, with the biggest fans under high-pressure situations. I think this is just another situation where we have to do our job and make sure we get the three points. I think every point matters here in the World Cup qualifiers, especially considering we're trying to qualify straight away without having to go through playoffs. I think we're a team that's very focused, and I can't wait for the opportunity to play in front of the beautiful crowd in Melbourne.
Match Details
Subway Socceroos v Saudi Arabia
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Bahrain v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 19 November 2024
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Kick-off: 9:15pm local Tuesday, 19 November 2024 (5:15am AEDT – Wednesday, 20 November)
Broadcast: Paramount+