With the announcement that Aaron Mooy called time on his professional football career for both club and country, a trio of his teammates and Subway Socceroos coach Graham Arnold paid tribute to the magisterial midfielder.
Socceroos captain Maty Ryan's relationship with Mooy goes back longer than most.
They met as youngsters from Western Sydney, where they attended Westfield Sports High School together.
Despite being a couple of years apart, they used to cross paths at training and in the school playground - and Ryan recalls how Mooy's special talent was immediately noticeable.
Fast forward a decade or so, the two developed into a couple of the Socceroos' most recognisable stars, and even enjoyed a stint together playing in the Premier League for Brighton & Hove Albion.
"From the moment of having known who he was, it was clear that he had a lot of talent and even back there in the day, he was getting linked to go overseas," Ryan recalls.
"He's someone whose actions do all the talking - he makes football look so easy. His vision and his passing game is second to none and his technical ability set pieces in his array of passing range and techniques are probably what sets him apart from from all the rest.
"It's been great to have shared many experiences with him, had many successes with him on the football pitch also.
"He's someone who's very passionate, and he's an incredible family man as well - I know how much they mean to him, and I'm sure that's probably the major reason why he goes out and does what he does, in order to provide for them and give them a great life."
All-round Aaron's a great guy, great player and even better person. There's no doubt he's created his own legacy."
"You just obviously need to look at the the accolades and all that he achieved along the way you know, not only collectively but personally as well for both club and country.
"We're two proud Western Sydney boys who have played at the pinnacle of the game - the World Cup, the Premier League, all that."
Another member of the Socceroos' leadership group, Jackson Irvine lined up alongside Mooy throughout all four of Australia's memorable matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“I've always said, I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have Aaron as a midfield partner," Irvine says.
“He just has a calmness and assurance in himself you know, I've compared that feeling that I had when I played with Mile (Jedinak) in midfield during his time. But with Aaron it's a totally different kind of assurance.
"It's an understanding of how the game can be calm and controlled when he's in possession and a player have such immense quality.
He was a huge part of why we were successful at the World Cup and I feel very fortunate to share that midfield role with him over the last few years.”
Mathew Leckie echoes Irvine's sentiments, highlighting how Aaron will be missed both on and off the pitch.
"He was such a quality player in the midfield, his ability to play the game at his speed and I guess slow the game down when needed which was so important for us," Leckie explains.
"He's just a chilled out guy, nothing really fazed him, he's really easy-going and just a great guy on and off the pitch.
"As time went on we built a strong relationship as well, started to really see that he was actually quite a funny guy when he was around the boys and chatting.
He was just so important to us, he made the game look so easy."
"His first touch was class and obviously his deliveries on set pieces was unreal, he was a real complete midfielder."
When asked to reflect on the impact of Mooy, Graham Arnold's mind immediately goes to the incredible role he played in Australia's qualification for last year's world cup.
"He's a great person, great player; he was always a dream to coach," the Subway Socceroos head coach said.
"Straightaway I think about what he did for us against UAE and Peru, he was just incredible. Having gone through a difficult period I had a conversation with him pretty much about you know, 'are you ready for these games?'
"Then to play 120 minutes, plus have the armband on and to get up and take a penalty was something special.
I'll never forget what he did for the Socceroos, Australian football and Australia."
"If Aaron probably sits back and looks at what he's done as a player he should be extremely proud of the career that he's had.
"He was influential in a lot of teams that he played in, and then when he reflects back after I think he'll be very proud.
"I think with Aaron, he can honestly look in the mirror and say yes, he should live happily for the rest of his life knowing that he's he gave everything and he got everything out of his career.
"But now it's new part of life with retirement and I just wish him and his family all the best and we're always here for him and and we will miss him enormously."