Silvera: We want to be competing at the highest level
CommBank Socceroo Sam Silvera said that the upcoming Soccer Ashes against New Zealand was all about playing and competing at the highest level ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
He also spoke about life at Middlesbrough, his goals for the future, and his hopes for walking out at a packed GIO Stadium on Friday evening.
Start of the season with Middlesborough
Four in four, I don't think that's been done in quite a few years. The staff we’ve brought in at Middlesbrough, and all the new players as well, they’ve created a new environment with a lot of energy that’s been really worked on over preseason.
Getting the call-up
It’s always the best thing to get the call-up to come here. I’m just grateful to be here. I’m obviously grateful that I’m getting minutes at Middlesbrough and I’m doing well, so I can’t complain. Again, this is where you want to be, and I’m here, so I’m grateful for that.
Championship flavour to the Socceroos squad
It’s a very talented squad. We’ve got lots of boys that are making their way into Europe and doing really well, and it’s only going to be better for us to create that competition for everyone.
There’s obviously Nestor [Irankunda] scoring two free-kicks, Sega [Adrian Segecic] scoring two goals. It’s amazing to see, it’s great for us. There’s always a bit of banter when we come up against each other – we’ll see if you can do that or not. But look, it’s just amazing to see. Those two boys in particular, they’re young, and it’s amazing to see them doing it on that stage. It just creates a little bit of fuel for when we get to go out against each other. That’ll be a good match-up.
Looking ahead to the World Cup
It’s extremely important that you have that one eye on the World Cup, but what you do day to day is also important. Personally, I think as long as I’m here right now in camp, I will put my best foot forward for the coach. But then when I go back, it’s continuing that, it’s making sure I do the little one percenters each day, and just continuing the hard work that I can do.
To my family and to myself, it’s the pinnacle of football. It will be an amazing feeling [if I get selected]. I know there’s a lot of tough competition to be had, and I think to be a part of the squad and just be there to represent my country, will be one of the best things in the world.
Growth opportunities
I’m quite young in the Socceroos. It’s learning off the boys that have played at one or two World Cups, or been here so many times, or played at a higher level for their club. It’s all about learning for myself, and I think I’m enjoying the process of it. I’m patient. I want to just keep learning and progressing. I’m playing in a new position, so there’s even more learning as well.
Taking on New Zealand
Running out on GIO [Stadium] will be amazing. The last time I was here, it was an amazing crowd, and hopefully I do get that opportunity to put the shirt on and walk out.
They’ve [New Zealand] done well, and they’ve got a good squad, but I don’t think a friendly is a friendly to be honest, especially for us. It’s preparation for the World Cup. We want to be playing at the highest level, competing at the highest level. We’re looking forward to it, and we can’t wait for the challenge.