Degenek inspired by golden generation as he heads to second FIFA World Cup

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Heading to his second FIFA World Cup with Australia, Milos Degenek explained how he was inspired to represent his country thanks in large to Australia’s ‘golden generation’.

Degenek, who currently plays in Major League Soccer with Columbus Crew, has been a cornerstone of the Socceroos’ defence for the previous few years.

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After being named in Graham Arnold’s 26-man squad bound for Qatar, the now 28-year-old said watching the national team perform at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, was something he fondly remembers.

Indeed, the Aussies advanced from the group stages after finishing runners-up behind Brazil in Group F.

“I was still a young boy in 2006 when Australia was playing I was 12 years old,” he told Columbus Crew.

“Australia didn't qualify for 30-odd years and to manage to qualify for the World Cup was unreal, it was an achievement itself.

“And that so called, people in Australia call it the golden generation back then, was an unreal team.

“The Socceroos were phenomenal and well, it made a big impact because it proved that you know, football in Australia is not just any sport, it was a sport that a lot of us really loved.

“And, you know, especially that generation with like Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, (Mark) Viduka, (Mark) Schwarzer. (Tony) Popovic, (Mark) Bresciano, (Vince) Grella wow, there's so many players at that time there. (Tony) Vidmar, (Scott) Chipperfield, (Josip) Skoko, just so many players at the time that played top, top level in Europe.”

The centre-back with 38 caps and one goal for his country is now hoping to make his mark at the major tournament.

Degenek was included in the squad back in 2018, but was an unused substitute in all three group matches.

“Those guys kind of pushed all of us younger kids who were 10, 12, 14, 16, however old to work hard and believe in ourselves that it's possible to play at a World Cup,” he said.

“It is possible to get out of a group stage. I think, you know, that inspired me personally a lot because I saw that these guys were doing it and I saw that it's possible as an Australian to play in the World Cup.”