Why selfless Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan will have one of the World Cup’s biggest fan clubs

IF Australia manage to pull off a goalless draw in their World Cup opener, expect one section of the Kazan Arena to be particularly boisterous — thanks to goalkeeper Mat Ryan’s generosity.

Socceroos goal keeper Mat Ryan has 26 of his family and relatives having traveled from Sydney to be in Kazan for the Socceroos first World Cup game against France. Mum Carol (centre with yellow sunglasses on head) and sister Megan (centre wearing yellow cap) pictured with the extended family in Kazan. Picture; Toby Zerna

THE more Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has achieved in football, the more he has been determined to remember where he came from.

That’s why a 26-strong group of Ryan family and friends arrived in the Russian city of Kazan late on Thursday night to watch Mat and the Australian team take on France in their first World Cup clash — and the vast majority of them were there thanks to Ryan’s generosity.

Mat Ryan’s Mum Carol (L) and sister Megan (R) are among the 26-strong group which has arrived in town. Picture; Toby Zerna

Led by his mum Carol and sister Megan, the group had a brief meeting with Mat on Thursday night, before he returned to prepare to take on one of the world’s most exalted teams on Saturday night (AEST).

The goalkeeper has long credited Carol for kickstarting his career, spending hours driving him to training and to games in his teens.

Listen to our football experts Tom Smithies and David Davutovic preview the Socceroos’ opening World Cup clash with France for Another Football Podcast.

When she moved out of her Oakhurst home in 2014, it was Mat who bought the house — now the salary he earns at English Premier League side Brighton has been put to family use once more.

“Mat asked us all during qualifying if we wanted to go to Russia should the Socceroos get there, and of course we all said yes,” Carol said.

Family has always come first for Ryan. Picture: Toby Zerna

“After the second leg of the Honduras game in November, once we knew for sure that Australia had qualified, it was almost the first topic of conversation, and now here we are.

“I never thought it would be possible that we’d be standing in a hotel in Russia, getting ready to watch him play. He’s created so many opportunities for Megan and myself.

The Ryan clan: Mat Ryan has helped bring in 26 members of his extended family for the Socceroos’ opening World Cup game against France. Picture; Toby Zerna

“When his grandparents said they could come, he didn’t think twice. It’s a testament to who he still is, he really is the same humble person as when he started out.”

Mat’s sister Megan said it was the first time she could recall the extended family being together in such a way.

“We saw Mat and he seemed really excited, not nervous at all,” she said.

“No one seems to expect Australia to do well against France but I think they’ll surprise everyone.”

Originally published as Why selfless Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan will have one of the World Cup’s biggest fan clubs