“Everyone is different and makes decisions for different reasons. Some people are driven by their contract obligations. And the fact that you can still earn
a hell of a lot more money playing in Europe is critical too. I walked away from a year’s contract that was much more lucrative than the two years I have been here, so it wasn’t about the money for me.

“It was a gamble coming back to a completely new competition, but I had confidence in what was being set up in Australia. I had worked with John O’Neill and Frank Lowy while I was with the national team and I had no doubt that they would get the league right. At the same time I wanted to be part of developing it, having a say on and off the park in how the whole thing unfolded.”

The biggest disappointment of Muscat’s career was missing the World Cup. A regular under Farina, he was probably the biggest name omission from Guus Hiddink’s 23 for Germany. The Dutchman had made his views pretty clear right from his first camp in Holland in August 2005 when Muscat was not included, and he never got a look in afterwards.

Nevertheless, despite his personal feelings, he was an enthusiastic observer of Australia’s progress – and proud to see the strides the team made.

“If you are honest we worked so hard and we were just as good as all the teams we played. We carried a bit of luck here and there but it was deserved luck. We made it for ourselves.

“If you were to have said we would have played to the standard that we did and got as far as we did, saying we could and should have gone on to do so much more, you can’t help but be surprised. But being involved with that group of boys and seeing how determined they were and how much effort they put in I wasn’t surprised at all.’’



Not that he has given up on his international aspirations. Muscat always made it clear that he would never announce his retirement from the Socceroos: it was down to the coaches to either pick him or leave him out. And in August of last year, when Graham Arnold wanted an old head to lead an inexperienced squad comprised solely of A-League players for the Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait, Muscat was recalled to the colours and thrown the skipper’s armband.

Does he see an Asian Cup future for himself?

“Arnie makes the decisions and I am not getting ahead of myself. I would like to think squads should be selected on form rather than potential, on what people have done. All I can do is put as much pressure as I can on Arnie. The Asian Cup would be a great opportunity to play in a major competition. All season I have tried to play consistently to remind people I can do a job.”

Time is running out on the veteran’s career, and most expect him to one day coach Melbourne Victory. Although Merrick believes he can carry on for years yet, Muscat is not so sure.

“It’s all down to how the body feels. At this point I feel as good as I have for a few years, but I am not in a position where I am going to commit to a retirement age or a number on how many seasons I will go on. As long as I can stay out there and influence games I will be happy.”

One thing for sure, however, is that he plans to stay in his home city.

“Where will I be in five years time? I will still be in Melbourne, I have been away long enough. I might be biased, but if it’s not the best city in the world its certainly in the Grand Final.

Since I have been back I have been to the Australian Open tennis, the Formula One, and the Melbourne Cup a couple of times. Life could not have been better.

“I wanted to come back home and enjoy the last few years of my career. I have managed to get two seasons out of it, hopefully we will get a couple more.”