Socceroos captain breaks silence on World Cup heartbreak on The Failed Footballer podcast

Socceroos skipper Maty Ryan has given his first interview since returning home from the FIFA World Cup, choosing to sit down exclusively with Olan Tekkers on iHeart’s The Failed Footballer podcast.

Ryan speaks publicly for the first time about one of the most dramatic moments of Australia‘s World Cup campaign – being unexpectedly called upon to replace Patrick Beach moments before a do-or-die penalty shootout against Egypt.

Ryan reveals he only discovered he would be entering the match about 10 minutes before the penalty shootout, after initially having a gut feeling it might happen.

“It wasn’t until pretty much extra time got underway. The strength and conditioning coach came up to us and told me and Paul Izzo to go and warm up. That never happens. Then the goalkeeper coach said, ‘If we have one sub left at the end of the game, be ready because you’re going in.’”

The Socceroos veteran says he was given final confirmation just minutes before taking the field.

Despite the heartbreak of the result, Ryan says he would embrace the challenge all over again.

 “If I had my time over again, I would 100 per cent be jumping at the chance to go and be in that scenario again.”

Ryan also reflects on the emotional toll of the tournament, revealing the internal battle he faced while supporting teammates from the sidelines.

The Maty Ryan episode is available now on The Failed Footballer via ARN’s free iHeart app or wherever you get your podcasts.