Cahill made a sterling A-League debut on Saturday night with a stunning 35-metre goal setting the competition alight.

But it may not have happened had it not been for his 11-year-old son Shae.

Cahill was considering his future when he got a text from his son urging his superstar dad to come back to Australia.

“My son Shae sent me a text message about my next decision in football and it helped me decide to come back to play in Australia (A-League),” Cahill told Fox Sports.

“It really did help me make this decision. It definitely made a difference.

“He was talking about wanting to be close to his cousins, and my mum and dad. I was at a stage in my career where I could make decisions based on family and football, and this was an easy one.  

 “I feel like I’m really reaping the rewards of coming home, especially because I am closer to my family and parents, and my kids are closer to their cousins.

“It’s an environment I haven’t been in for 19 years, and though Melbourne isn’t the city I’m from, it’s been welcoming.”