Socceroos aren’t getting deserved transfer market respect, says in-demand James Troisi

SOCCEROO James Troisi believes Australian players still don’t command respect on the global stage, despite a recent FIFA accolade

Socceroo James Troisi celebrates after scoring during the 2017 Confederations Cup group B football match against Chile in Moscow. Picture: AFP PHOTO/Yuri KADOBNOV

SOCCEROO James Troisi has sparked worldwide interest after winning a FIFA award at the Confederations Cup but he believes the accolade doesn’t translate to respect for Australians.

Troisi was listed among global superstars Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Arturo Vidal (Chile), Julian Draxler (Germany), Alexis Sanchez (Chile), Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Germany) and Claudio Bravo (Chile) at the recent Confederations Cup where the South Australian was outstanding in the Socceroos 1-1 draw with losing finalist Chile in Australia’s final group match.

But Troisi firmly believes that if he and his teammates were nationals of countries such as Portugal, Chile and Confederation’s Cup winner Germany, the current FIFA transfer market would have been a flurry of activity for Australian A-League players.

Instead about 50 players moved for free during this transfer window apart from ex-Brisbane Roar attacker Brandon Borello, who commanded a $220,000 transfer fee to Germany’s Kaiserslautern.

“It was great getting man of the match against the calibre of Chile and after that there was a lot of interest (for me),’’ said uncontracted Troisi from Vancouver, Canada where he visited former Sydney FC attacker Bernie Ibini.

“Obviously it was against playing some of the best players in the world but it just goes to show that we can mix it with the best in the world.

“Unfortunately we were born in the wrong country and the other boys had fantastic games against Chile.

Socceroos Tim Cahill, James Troisi and Mat Ryan in New York.

“They would have had — if it was a Brazilian or Chilean player — they would have had offers for millions and millions of dollars and they would have been sold and bought for millions of dollars.

“But unfortunately we’re not regarded like that, it’s disappointing.

“I don’t know the reasons why and why we’re not recognised …. is that ever going to change?”

“Who knows?”

The former Melbourne Victory attacker had a brilliant 2016/17 season where he scored six goals and had six assists in 24 matches in the A-League.

He came fourth in this year’s Johnny Warren medal count – the first Australian behind Sydney FC’s winner Milos Ninkovic, Diego Castro and Nico Martinez.

Troisi is expected to return to Melbourne after a brief stop in Whistler, Canada after meeting Socceroos teammates Tim Cahill and Mat Ryan in New York following the Russian FIFA tournament.

He says his future is in the hands of his agents.

But it’s understood clubs in the US MLS, Europe, Asia and the A-League with Melbourne City on top of that list chasing his services.

“I’m just having a break in Vancouver at the moment,’’ he said.

“I’m relaxed, visiting Bernie Ibinie (who plays for Vancouver Whitecaps in the US Major League Soccer competition).”

Originally published as Socceroos aren’t getting deserved transfer market respect, says in-demand James Troisi