Mathew Leckie Ruled Out of Socceroos Squad Following Grand Final Heroics

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Mathew Leckie, the hero of Melbourne City’s A-League Grand Final triumph, has withdrawn from the Socceroos squad for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia, citing the need for recovery after two injury-riddled seasons.

The 34-year-old winger delivered a gutsy, match-winning performance in City’s 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory on Saturday, earning the Joe Marston Medal for best on field—despite finishing the game with a broken nose, facial injuries, and a lingering hamstring strain sustained in training days earlier.

Leckie, who was expected to be named in Tony Popovic’s 23-man squad, admitted his body could no longer withstand the demands of international football without proper rest.

“It just sums up the whole season for me,” Leckie said post-match. “My body has let me down. I haven’t contributed as much as I wanted, so tonight was about leaving everything out there for the boys.”

A Season of Setbacks

The 2024-25 campaign was particularly brutal for Leckie, who suffered four separate injury comebacks before his heroic Grand Final display. His absence leaves a void in the Socceroos’ attack ahead of critical qualifiers:

• June 6 (AEST): vs. Japan (Perth)

• June 11 (AEST): vs. Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)

Popovic expressed disappointment, highlighting Leckie’s big-game experience as a key loss.

“He’s a player who delivers in decisive moments,” Popovic said. “It’s a shame for him and for us.”

Sacrifice for Success

Despite the pain, Leckie called the Grand Final win “unbelievable”—a career highlight worth the battle scars.

“If we’d lost, I’d be devastated,” he said. “But now, when I retire, I’ll look back at this night—and the scars will remind me.”

While proud of his individual award, he credited Melbourne City’s collective resilience:

“We dug deep. It wasn’t pretty, but we showed why we’re the best defensively. I was just one of many who put their body on the line.”

With his focus now on recovery and preseason, Australian fans will hope Leckie returns stronger for the next World Cup cycle.