His best friend is Leroy Sane, now Ajdin Hrustic is aiming to make his mark for the Socceroos on World Cup trail

A decade after making friends with Manchester City star Leroy Sane, two years after his Australia debut, Socceroos midfielder Ajdin Hrustic is aiming to make his mark on the road to Qatar 2022.

Ajdin Hrustic trains in Dubai. Photo: Tristan Furney/Supplied

• New recruit setting lofty Socceroos goals
• Bromance can take old mates all the way to Kuwait

Two of his best friends are stars at Manchester City and PSG, and a decade ago he was marked out as one of Australia’s brightest young talents.

But only now is Ajdin Hrustic poised to make his mark with the Socceroos, one of the chorus line of new faces as Australia sets out on the road to Qatar 2022.

Two years after his debut — and only cap — came off the bench against Brazil, Hrustic is hoping for a start against Kuwait as Australia’s World Cup campaign begins in earnest early on Wednesday (AEST) in Kuwait City.

Watch the Socceroos take on Kuwait in the first round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with Fox Sports on KAYO. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Ajdin Hrustic trains in Dubai. Photo: Tristan Furney/Supplied

With head coach Graham Arnold ready to unleash the new brigade in conditions so hot there will be mandated drinks breaks in the middle of each half, Olyroos like Hrustic, Brandon Borrello and Awer Mabil should get the chance to shine in Tom Rogic’s absence.

An attacking midfielder with a love for the killer pass, the 23-year-old Hrustic counts German stars Leroy Sane and Thilo Kehrer among his closest friends, thanks to several years spent as teammates in the youth system at Bundesliga side Schalke.

They reached the German Youth Cup final together and stayed in touch even as their careers diverged.

Sane’s fame at City and the spotlight it engenders (despite a recent Achilles injury) still bemuses Hrustic, despite the circles it brings him into - like hanging out with NFL star Odell Beckham Jnr.

“We’re in touch almost every day, we speak a lot,” Hrustic said of Sane. “It’s not easy for him, living that kind of life, but he does it well.

“Unfortunately he’s picked up a heavy injury now but he’ll be back.”

A young Hrustic with a fresh faced Leroy Sane. Source: Instagram

Now his recent displays for Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie have had him linked with a move to the Premier League, as well as the chance to add to little more than half an hour in Australia’s colours.

Aged just 13 he was called up for the Australian schoolboys but had to withdraw through injury — and a while after, on a tour of England with South Melbourne’s youth team, Hrustic made an immediate impression.

“I played against Stoke City and when we came back my dad was getting all these calls from their youth director,” Hrustic said.

“About half a year later we moved to Europe (for trials). If you want to follow your dream you have to be prepared to leave everything behind, I guess.

“It was a risk, but it was one I didn’t think twice about. My parents supported me all the way — they still live in Germany — and I owe them everything.

NFL star Odell Beckham Jr, Leroy Sane and Ajdin Hrustic. Source: Instagram

MORE NEWS

Degenek keeps rising to the challenge

Lowys sever all ties with the game

Arnold is still mulling over his final starting XI, with captain Mark Milligan out through injury, but new faces are likely to figure.

“I’ve been impressed with Ajdin and all the young boys, they’ve given the camp a lot of energy,” he said. “We’ve got players who I’m really excited to see how they perform.

Summing up his style of play, Hrustic said: “I guess you could say I’m good on the ball, what I love is making that final pass, shooting, playing little one-twos around the box.”

Originally published as His best friend is Leroy Sane, now Ajdin Hrustic is aiming to make his mark for the Socceroos on World Cup trail