Street football in Iran helps make Arzani the Socceroos’ World Cup X-factor
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Daniel Arzani is young and virtually untested, but he is increasingly being spoken about as Australia's wildcard at the 2018 World Cup.
It was far from certain he would even be selected by coach Bert van Marwijk in the squad, and just a few weeks ago there was speculation he might be poached by Iran to play his international football in the country of his birth.
Arzani made appearances in the two World Cup warm-up matches against the Czech Republic and Hungary, before ensuring he can only ever play for Australia in the future by appearing for the final few minutes of the World Cup opener against France.
Once a player has represented a country at a major international tournament, there is no switching allegiances.
On Monday, Arzani insisted he had only ever intended to play for Australia, where his family moved for a better life when he was a child.
"I lived most of my life here and I owe a lot to Australian football," Arzani said.
"It was a special moment because when we left Iran we left because my parents wanted a better life for me and my brother, and to be able to represent the country that helped us is special."
His commitment to the Socceroos may be absolute, but Arzani said he picked up his footballing swagger playing street ball in Iran.
"Growing up, playing in the streets, you have to have that [confidence] otherwise you get eaten alive by the other boys," he said.
"You have to believe in yourself, even when you make a mistake, and I think that's where I get a lot of it from."
It is that cockiness which van Marwijk seems to value, as he has told Arzani to express himself on the pitch when he is brought on, usually late in the game when a spark is needed.
The 19-year-old said his teammates in the Australian squad had tested him both physically and mentally in camp, which he insisted is all part of coming into the side as a rookie.
"When you come in as a young player, you get a couple of the older boys who maybe have heard some things about you and they kind of want to show you who's boss," he said.
"But it's all OK, at the end of the day the older boys have helped me out a lot since I've been in camp.
"They've given me the tough love when I need it but they've also put their hand around me and helped me out."
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ABC .net
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