Mathew Leckie unavailable for Socceroos squad after grand final heroics

Battered and bruised after his man-of-the-match performance in the A-League grand final, Mathew Leckie has withdrawn from the Socceroos squad.

A-League grand final hero Mathew Leckie has withdrawn from the Socceroos squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia, saying he needs a “really good break” after two years of injuries.

Leckie won the Joe Marston Medal for player-of-the-match for his courageous, powerful and selfless midfield display in his Melbourne City side’s 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in Saturday night’s decider at AAMI Park.

The 34-year-old veteran finished the match with a busted nose and other facial injuries after receiving a kick to the head, and revealed after the game that he played with a hamstring strain he suffered last Tuesday at training.

It was a continuation of two seasons, particularly City’s 2024-25 campaign, of injury frustration for Leckie.

“It just sums up the whole season for me,” he said.

“It’s obviously been an unlucky one with injuries, but my body has sort of let me down this season, and I haven’t been able to contribute much to the team, so for me, it was important to give everything (in the final) for the boys and just be a part of a special night.”

A battered Mathew Leckie is set to withdraw from the Socceroos squad after his grand final heroics. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Leckie’s strong end to the season was set to result in him being named in the Socceroos squad along with his City teammates Aziz Behich, Marco Tilio and Kai Trewin for Thursday night’s clash against Japan in Perth and the June 11 (AEST) battle with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.

It would have been the first time that Leckie had been in a Socceroos squad coached by Tony Popovic, who was appointed in September last year.

However, he was unavailable for selection after his latest injuries.

“I want to be there. I really do. I’ve always said that I love the national team, I love representing Australia, but for the last two years, my body has just been giving me a lot of dramas with injuries,” Leckie said.

“As much as I would like to be there, with what’s happened now with this (nose and face) and also with my leg, I really think I do need just a really good break.

“Hopefully it all works out for next season, and I can just … get through the pre-season, because I need a good pre-season, not this stop-start (situation), because I think I was back four or five times this year, and then something (would happen). I need consistency.”

Mathew Leckie (right) celebrates Melbourne City’s A-League grand final win with his teammates. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Popovic said Leckie was going to be in the Socceroos squad for his experience in “big matches”.

“He can provide the experience and quality you need in big moments,” Popovic said.

“It’s a shame for him, and a shame for us.”
Despite his injuries, Leckie said it felt “unbelievable” to win an A-League grand final for the first time.

“If we had have lost this game and I walked away looking like this, then I would have been devastated, but it’s all worth it now,” he said.

“We’ve made another special moment where, when I finish my career, I can look back on it, and I’ve probably got scars that will remind me as well.”

He was pleased to also win the Joe Marston Medal, but said it took a team effort to beat the Victory.

“I felt that we all fought well. It wasn’t our best game, but we really dug deep but showed why we’ve been so good defensively, and I was one of many that really put their body on the line,” he said.

“I’ve not been able to contribute much this season, so I was happy to go out there and give everything.”

Originally published as Mathew Leckie unavailable for Socceroos squad after grand final heroics