As part of our countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, we profile every Australian player who's been to a World Cup.
Today we continue the countdown with Mathew Leckie, one of Australia's goalscorers at the 2014 World Cup.
READ: FIFA World Cup: Countdown for the Caltex Socceroos
Cap number: 550
World Cups played at: 2014
Position: Winger
Age at World Cup: 23 (now 27)
Clubs played for: Bulleen Lions, Adelaide United, Borussia Monchengladbach, FSV Frankfurt, FC Ingolstadt 04, Hertha BSC
Best World Cup moment
Mathew Leckie played the entirety of the Caltex Socceroos’ 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign on the right wing.
He played a key role in Tim Cahill’s goal against Chile in Australia’s first group match.
Leckie's rapid pace made him a constant threat in the 3-2 loss to the Netherlands, and the former Adelaide United man himself came agonisingly close to putting Australia ahead 3-2 when he could only chest towards the goal a cross fired into him free in the middle of the box.
Career highlight
Leckie backed up his showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a number of solid performances in the winning 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign.
He appeared in every match throughout that tournament and cemented himself as a mainstay in the Australian side.
Leckie signed with Bundesliga side Hertha BSC at the start of the 2017-18 season and scored a brace on debut.
Post-playing career
Leckie is still a professional footballer who currently plies his trade for German club Hertha BSC.
Did you know?
As a youngster, Leckie aspired to play Australian rules football rather than association football. A change of schools at age 11 inspired him to take up the world game instead.
Leckie has been picked in Bert van Marwijk’s 26-man squad for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup and is hopeful of making the final 23-man squad.
