‘I kept the socks from that moment’: Genreau's Socceroos hero turned teammate

Being subbed on for Aaron Mooy in a friendly match at Melbourne City still lives fresh in the mind of Socceroo #610 Denis Genreau, as he prepares to add to his maiden national team cap alongside a player he has always looked up to.

Genreau, who represented Melbourne City for five years, is relishing the opportunity to train and play alongside Mooy once again. 

The 22-year-old hopes to emulate the achievements of his former club and current Socceroos teammate. He says watching Mooy in training was one of the greatest lessons of his youth development. 

“I've always looked up to Aaron Mooy,” Genreau explained. 

“I used to train with him at Melbourne city, and I remember a time where I came on for him in a friendly game. I kept the socks from that moment because, for me, it was special to come on for him.

When he was in the A-League, I used to watch him really closely and try to learn off him every day in training. 

“Seeing what he’s done in the national team and in the Premier League, he has had a fantastic career. 

“I've always looked up to him so to be back training with him has been something I’m really looking forward to.” 

After becoming a Socceroo in June, an Olympian in July and securing a dream transfer to Toulouse FC in August, Genreau is eager to build on his recent achievements. 

Getting a taste for the Socceroos during the June qualifiers was enough to light the fire for Genreau 

“In terms of the games coming up, I think everyone knows what we expect and what Arnie expects,” Genreau said. 

“I’m looking forward to going out there and doing my best while representing Australia.

It’s the greatest honour as a footballer so you never take anything for granted. 

“To be back here is something very special and I’m looking to give everything for our country.” 

Genreau joined Toulouse following an impressive season with Macarthur FC in the A-League, where he won the club’s Inaugural Macarthur Medal.

The whirlwind of the past few months is enough to challenge anyone's comfort zone, but Genreau, who recently made his French football debut, is embracing life at Toulouse. 

“The deal was done pretty quickly, I went straight from the Olympics to Toulouse. Then I was straight into training and now I’ve played three games off the bench,” Genreau explained. 

“The team is flying at the moment, they're doing well. We are first in the championship, so hopefully, things continue like that.

“It's a very physical league, there are a lot of duels and technically, you have some really good individual players. 

“But I think as a team collectively, we're very strong. It's only been six games but from the boys that I've met so far, everyone has been fantastic with me. We have a really good environment around the club.”

Born to French parents in Paris but brought up in Melbourne, Genreau has long-held a dream of moving overseas to chase his dreams. 

As a 19-year-old, the box-to-box midfielder signed with Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle to link up with former Melbourne City coach John van't Schip. 

While the move ultimately did not work out and Genreau returned to Australia to reignite his A-League career, he did not lose hope. 

Now on his second European adventure, Genreau has paid homage to the country that nurtured his footballing talent.

“I think home for me is always going to be Australia. I’ve got my mum, my dad and my sister over there,” he said. 

“The rest of my family are in France so just to see them and to play in front of them is special. 

“They've always been following me from afar, but to play in front of them up close is special for them to be able to share these moments with me.”

The Socceroos face China PR on Friday, 3 September, with kick-off at 4am (AEST). Australia's second World Cup qualifier against Vietnam in Hanoi will be played on Tuesday, 7 September.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round)

Australia v China PR

Date: Thursday, 2 September 2021

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar

Kick-off: 9pm local (4am AEST – Friday, 3 September 2021)

Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 – pre-game coverage from 3.30am AEST