Why Tim Cahill feels like a kid again

THE soccer great reveals his excitement over the FIFA World Cup, how his wife’s support has helped him in his career, and what he spent that first pay cheque on.

Tim Cahill: “I want my kids to do whatever they enjoy. They don’t need Dad telling them what to do.” (Pic: AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

THE soccer great reveals his excitement over FIFA World Cup, how his wife’s support has helped him in his career, and what he spent that first pay cheque on.

You’re about to kick off your fourth FIFA World Cup. What were the nerves like the first time you ran out for an international game?

Mindfulness breathing will only take you so far. I definitely remember my first time on the pitch: as substitute in a match against Japan in 2006. I’d watched the first half from the bench, we were down 1-0, so I was more desperate to get out there than nervous or intimidated. Those are the moments you work your entire life for — so you have to embrace them.

Now that you’re 38, do you feel like an old hand, or does the adrenalin factor stay the same?

I feel like a kid again. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. To be able to represent Australia on that stage is something that has been a career highlight — to have the chance to hopefully do that again? I couldn’t be more excited.

Cahill and wife Rebekah. (Pic: AAP Image/Paul Miller)

Soccer hasn’t always been so popular in Australia. Were you that kid staying up until 1am trying to catch games on SBS?

My dad would watch the European games on TV in the middle of the night, and I would sneak out of bed to see them as well. I reckon he probably knew I was hiding there but thankfully he didn’t send me back to bed. Eventually I was allowed to sit there with him and watch them properly.

You’re married to your childhood sweetheart Rebekah. How many hours would you say she’s spent in the stands, in bad weather, watching your team lose and dealing with you in a bad mood for the rest of the weekend?

I couldn’t even guess at the number. She’s supported me through every tough loss, injury and frustrating period in my career. To say I owe her would be an understatement.

Still, she’s probably got a good grasp of the off-side rule.

She definitely knows her football. If I’ve had a poor game, she’ll let me know!

Tim Cahill features in this week’s issue of Stellar magazine.

You are also the father of four children. Do you have to suppress the urge to step in and start coaching at Saturday sport?

Definitely not! I want my kids to do whatever they enjoy. They don’t need Dad telling them what to do. Whether it’s netball, football, singing or anything else, I want them to spend their time on whatever makes them happy.

You and wife Rebekah have been compared to the Beckhams. Do you embrace that or do you simply wish you could live more like them — all royal wedding invites and custom-made Bentleys?

We’re definitely not on that level. It’s a bit hard to do luxurious cars and that kind of life once you have four young kids. Especially once they start kicking footballs around the house — things tend to get broken. And a Bentley wouldn’t look so good with food and drink spilled all over it.

A nice watch, on the other hand... everyone needs a little luxury — timepieces, cars, travel. Do you remember what you spent your first pay cheque on?

My parents had taken out a loan for me to travel to England and trial as a professional footballer, so as soon as I was earning money I started to pay them back for the sacrifice that they made for me.

Tim Cahill is a Friend of Hublot, official timekeeper of the FIFA World Cup 2018.