Massimo Luongo hoping a good showing for Socceroos at World Cup can help his club ambitions

MASSIMO Luongo has had a taste of the EPL and — if he makes the Socceroos’ squad for Brazil — is hoping more doors to top-tier football open for him.

MASSIMO Luongo has had a taste of the English Premier League and — if he finds his way into the Socceroos’ 23-man squad for Brazil — is hoping more doors to top-tier football open for him.

The 21-year-old spent more than two years at the Tottenham Academy before moving to League One side Swindon Town. He played 54 games for the English third tier club this season, one of them against Chelsea in the League Cup.

But the talented midfielder admits he wasn’t at all star struck by the encounter and is eager to test himself against the world’s best in Brazil.

“We played Chelsea during the season and I’m not really star struck by all that stuff,” Luongo said.

“I’m more looking to how good they really are and what they’ve got that I don’t — how far I am off them.

“I thought I had a good season — my first full season in professional football. It’s a tough league to play in and playing that many games in a season does take its toll on you, but I’ve got that under my belt now and it’s a good foundation going into next season.”

Massimo Luongo at the Socceroos training camp in Gosford. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Luongo still has two years remaining on his contract at Swindon, but admits taking part in a World Cup can only boost his chances of grabbing the attention of EPL clubs.

“It’s good because it gets my name out there,” Luongo said. “I’ve got this experience under my belt and the value goes up, so it can’t hurt for my career. And going into the transfer window it could spark a few things.”

The thought of playing for the Socceroos hadn’t even crossed Luongo’s mind before Ange Postecoglou got in touch with him.

“There is still a long way to go and I’m just taking it one day at a time really,” Luongo said. “I’m a bit anxious and eager for the days to roll on towards the South Africa game.”

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Originally published as Massimo Luongo hoping a good showing for Socceroos at World Cup can help his club ambitions