Maty Ryan: I feel like I've got my best days ahead of me
Ahead of the CommBank Socceroos’ upcoming fixtures against Canada and the United States, captain Maty Ryan spoke about becoming a father, fighting for his position and more.
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Ryan arrives into camp fresh off a move to La Liga side Levante, and will be looking to continue his form in these two fixtures, which are instrumental in the team's preparations for the World Cup.
Read on for a summary of his recent press conference.
Playing the hosts of the FIFA World Cup 26™
It’s a taste of what we’re going to be experiencing in the World Cup, and it’s important we can try and maximise every experience to try and gain an advantage over the opposition we’re going to be facing. We want to continue to represent our country in the best way, and we want to continue this winning momentum that we have.
On an individual level, it’s an opportunity for people to be staking their claim to be here in nine months when the World Cup kicks off, so there’s definitely always plenty to play for. There’s no such thing as a friendly game.
Emerging as the world’s most travelled Men’s footballer last season
There have been plenty of Australian players before me who have had to do the exact same thing, so I’m no different in that regard. I think it’s part of the DNA of being an Australian footballer. I try and adopt my approach to make sure that I’m as ready as I can be come match time, when we do those trips to Australia or Asia or wherever it’s going to be.
But it’s one of those things where you just roll your sleeves up and get on with things, because what can we do to change it? It can obviously influence and impact performances, probably more so for the guys who are less experienced with doing it, so it’s definitely a challenge. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to do what you can to be ready on match day.
The impact of becoming a father on his personal and professional life
I spoke with James Holland about this. He said that all footballers who become fathers see their game go to another level in some regard. I think it’s the realisation that there are things in life that are more important than football, and I think for a lot of people, that takes the pressure away and allows people to relax a little bit more. If it can help take my game to another level, then I’ll speak to my partner about having a couple more quick!
Fighting for his position
I’ve never taken my position for granted. Through my club and international career, it can be rightfully taken away if someone perceives you not to be the right man, or if the circumstances of an individual’s career at the moment don’t warrant being selected or starting.
It’s a player's responsibility to not give them a reason not to play them. Within that, it’s an opinionated world, and managers and coaches have opinions on team selection at certain times, and sometimes a player can do everything that they can and still not get selected. But I think what separates great players from good players is how they manage adversity when it comes along in difficult periods and moments. I think part of an elite mindset and mentality is, when facing adversity, digging our heels in and fighting for what we want.
The potential of becoming the Socceroos’ highest-capped player
I can honestly say, my first cap, my 11th, my 17th - whatever - to me, they’re all memorable, they’re all special. Every cap that I get, I’m just trying to make my next cap the best. I live my dream by representing my country, and to be one of only three players to play this many games, it’s obviously very special. But I think that’s something I’ll acknowledge more perhaps at the end of my career and can really sit back and reflect on what I’ve done.
I still feel like I’ve got my best days ahead of me, I’ve tasted that feeling of achieving success at the highest level, and those moments make lifelong memories that you’re never going to forget and I’m going to reminisce on them one day with my kids and grandkids with a smile.