Mat Ryan thought his Socceroos career was over. Now he is a key Socceroo
Ryan had started life under coach Tony Popovic as an unused substitute for three straight games as Joe Gauci took the lead in their World Cup qualifiers.
Ryan could not convince Popovic after struggling for game time at his former club AS Roma, before a hip injury to Gauci reopened the door.
Six months on, the 33-year-old nears his 100-cap milestone as Australia attempts to confirm their path to the 2026 tournament in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (AEST).
Australia will earn automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup provided they are not beaten by five goals or more by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
Ryan is the third-most capped Socceroo, behind fellow keeper Mark Schwarzer (109) and Tim Cahill (108).
"There were definitely thoughts that I had there that I could well have played my last game for the national team," Ryan said on Monday.
"If you look at perhaps every footballer's career — look at Cristiano Ronaldo and his time at Man United with (Erik) ten Hag there. He wasn't playing there either.
"I don't think life or football discriminates against anyone in that regard.
"No one is ever entitled to playing for a team. You've got to go out there and earn that right.
"'I'm pretty proud of the fact that I've managed to find my way back in."
Ryan was on the bench last time the Socceroos suffered a defeat of five or more goals, watching a side coached by Holger Osieck in a 6-0 horror friendly defeat to France in 2013.
While Ryan would not be drawn when asked about the memory, he stuck close to the team's week-long "no complacency" message.
"At the end of the day, action speaks louder than words," Ryan said.
"In life, anything is possible, so you can't take anything for granted.
"And by no means is the job finished."
Ryan will notch the 100-game milestone after 13 years with the national team, earning his first call-up for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Saudis in 2012.
"I'm always trying to make the next achievement the best one," Ryan said.
"To be in the position we are right now, being a strong one, to go and have it right on our fingertips right now — it gives meaning to us footballers as to why we want to play.
"It's the most fulfilling and purposeful thing when you've got that success at your fingertips, and you obviously want to take that final last step to go and achieve it."
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