Cahill's had a very different 2017/18 campaign by his standards, so it would be no surprise to learn his attitude has evolved a little as well. 

The 38-year-old is celebrating his selection (after all, it wasn't a certainty, was it?) in the 26-man Socceroos training squad, of which 23 will travel to June's World Cup. 

The Socceroos legend is also celebrating the launch of a marketing campaign for Caltex, in which a service station in Sydney has been renamed 'Cahilltex'.

It would have been a strange campaign had he not made the World Cup cut, but as Cahill said, he's worked very hard to get here. 

"To get here now is a big moment for me in my career," the forward told Macquarie Sports Radio.

"When I went to Millwall we were four points off relegation, after I joined we went on a 17-game unbeaten run which meant that you have to wait for your chance to get on the pitch. 

"When you go that long, and you're there for 19 games, it's a pleasure to sit on the bench for a club like that, where I learned my trade.

"I was playing behind-doors games, sending my data back to Australia. That's what's happened the last four years with my regime," Cahill continued. "This has been four years, not three months."

It's the next three months that will prove most interesting for Socceroos fans.

After the chaos of a final squad selection, then a World Cup campaign that few can possibly predict, there's the inevitable tumultuous off-season as Australian footballers assess offers and return to normality. 

"Even with the Cahilltex...it's great that they can promote our game and can raise awareness of the sport," Cahill said.

"I had Arzani when I first joined City and I told everyone how special this kid could be. It's all about the players who can take themselves to the next level. 

"The world stage is where you get seen, that's how players can progress. I hope we can take every opportunity. 

"It's going to be tough, but that's what excites me."