Aaron Mooy reveal prompts outpouring of football tributes
The Socceroos, A-League, Premier League and Scottish League champion has announced he is retiring from the sport.
Socceroos great Aaron Mooy has announced he is retiring from both international and club football, prompting a wave of tributes from appreciative Aussie fans. The 32-year-old midfielder has been a long-term fixture for the Socceroos, first donning the jersey in 2012.
Mooy parlayed his impressive form for the Socceroos into an impressive professional career, boasting Premier League stints with Manchester City, Huddersfield Town AFC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC. He also impressed for Melbourne City in the A-League, playing well enough to attract international attention.
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His 2015 season, in which he starred in the A-League and made seven appearances for the Socceroos, made his resume impossible to ignore overseas. His first appearance for Australia came with the Young Socceroos in 2009.
Mooy also feature heavily in Australia's last two FIFA World Cup campaigns, in Russia (2018) and Qatar in 2022. His international career is capped with the Socceroos' thrilling run to the top 16 last year.
The Sydneysider would then go on to play for Celtic FC, where he was a part of the club's thrilling treble of the Scottish League Cup, Scottish Cup and Scottish Premiership triumphs. Mooy said it felt like the right time to retire, making way for a new generation of players, though it had been a difficult decision to come to.
“I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dreams of playing for Australia,” Mooy said. “As a young kid, starting out in football you watch the national team on TV and imagine yourself there one day – to have lived that is something I’m truly grateful for.
“I’ve had the honour of playing alongside some of the best footballers that Australia has produced, creating lifelong friendships along the way. I wanted to thank my teammates, coaches and the backroom staff for all their support and guidance during my time with the Socceroos, the camaraderie amongst the group is something I’ll never forget.
“This has been a hugely difficult decision [to retire], but I feel the time is right for the next generation to be given the opportunity to experience international football. As a group we were able to set a new bar [in Qatar] for the Socceroos and I believe we have the talent coming through to build upon that as work begins towards 2026."
#CelticFC midfielder & Australian internationalist Aaron Mooy today announced his intention to retire from football with immediate effect.
Aaron played a crucial role in our recent record-breaking Treble & we wish him the best for the future 🍀
Thank you, @AaronMooy 💚— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 30, 2023
Aaron Aaron Mooy
Thanks for the memories what a player 🍀🏆🏆🏆— Davey Ness (@DaveyNess94) June 30, 2023
Aaron Mooy, one of the greatest players to ever pull on the famous blue and white stripes. Was always a joy to watch and scored some great goals along the way. Thank you for the memories and enjoy your retirement!! @AaronMooy #htafc #UTT
— Adam H (@CrazyHorsfield) June 30, 2023
Absolutely GUTTED about aaron mooy 😭 can’t take much more heartbreak
— Maggie Gillespie (@Gillespiemaggie) June 30, 2023
Aaron Mooy is one of the best midfielders Australian football has ever produced.
Bit young to retire but he's going out on top with the Treble and a Round of 16 exit.
Go well Aaron. https://t.co/YRyIIkADeu— Duke Leckie de Goodwin (@Elfvandel20) June 30, 2023
I’ve gone on quite a journey with Aaron Mooy. Didn’t rate him initially, kinda got annoyed with him in the team at one point, but by the end I appreciated what he brought and thought we missed him when he wasn’t there. Shame to see him retire at only 32. All the best to him.
— Krys 🏴🇵🇱🇮🇪 (@krys1888) June 30, 2023
God Bless @AaronMooy and his family. He gave his all in the Hoops, and helped contribute to a historic season. Thanks Aaron, and enjoy your retirement. 💚🍀
— Celtic Symphony (@DM8883) June 30, 2023
What a career @AaronMooy. An outstanding contribution to club and country. Had the ability to change games and made the game of football look easy and articulate. My favourite Australian footballer I’ve seen🦘#ThankyouAaron
— Joseph Marciano (@JosephMarciano) June 30, 2023
Aaron Mooy farewells football world on top after Scottish treble
Mooy's final game for Australia was December's World Cup round-of-16 loss to Argentina, his seventh appearance in the tournament. The quietly spoken midfielder was crucial to Australia's qualification for, and run to the knockout stages in, Qatar.
Mooy also played an important role in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, famously starring off the bench in Australia's play-off against Syria.
"We saw Aaron's qualities as a player on full display in Qatar, he was tremendous throughout the World Cup and integral to us reaching the round of 16," Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.
"I thought the same watching him in Russia, he was able to rise to the occasion on football's biggest stage and show just how talented he truly is.
"A player like Aaron is a joy to coach, an exceptional talent who embodied the spirit of the Socceroos every time he took the pitch."
With AAP
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