For James Troisi, it was a phone call that came out of the blue but one that has changed his career and has him on the cusp of the World Cup.
Struggling to see much game time at Italian club Atalanta, Troisi was convinced by then-Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou to return for a stint in the Hyundai A-League.
At the time it could have been considered a risk but when you haven't been a part of the Socceroo set-up for two years anyway, Troisi felt he had nothing to lose.
Little did he know Postecoglou would soon become national team boss and after an A-League campaign that included 12 goals and seven assists from 27 games, a spot in Brazil is now in his sights.
"I'm very thankful [to Postecoglou].
“He gave me a call in Italy and told me to come back and I think it was the right decision," Troisi said from the team's training camp in Gosford on Saturday.
"I know he likes me but I've still got to do what I have to do in this short period of time.
“I know he was at pretty much every single game of ours so he know what I can do so I guess that's why I'm here and I just want to continue that form.
"I owe [Ange] a lot, but obviously coming to camp you still have to work hard and impress and show what you can do.
“Obviously I'm confident, I'm very happy with how things went this season and I'm looking forward to training day in, day out and hopefully going to the World Cup."
This is very much a second coming in the Green and Gold for Troisi.
After being signed by English club Newcastle United as a teenager, the 25-year-old moved on to Turkey and was a Socceroo regular in 2010-11 while he was starring for Kayserispor.
Troisi admits he has no idea why national team call-ups dried up after that but after his period of exile he's just thrilled to be back in the reckoning.
"I'm feeling good and I'm feeling pretty confident after the season I've had," he said.
"Obviously I'm very happy with what I did this season and I want to continue that into these camps.
"I think [this week] is important for everyone but for me I just want to continue doing what I've been doing. “There's no real pressure, obviously just relax and focus on that and we'll see what happens."
Having gone out of his way to get Troisi back to Australia, Postecoglou is obviously a fan of his talent and believes he could add the X-Factor against Spain, the Netherlands and Chile in Brazil.
Troisi is hopeful his ability to play anywhere along the line behind the striker and his pace and creativity will work in his favour when it comes to making the final 23-man squad.
"I think if you just look at what I've done this season, I'm playing as a 10 and not only creating goals but scoring goals," he said.
"People are saying I'm a striker which I'm not.
"For me I think I bring something a little bit different. I can play with the ball and play people in and also run in behind and score goals as well, which is quite hard to find. I think that's why I'm in the squad.
“One of the reasons he brought me to Victory was because he likes the attacking style of football I play.
"So it's looking positive and that's what I've done this season and obviously he's happy with it."
Troisi will be hoping to show all of that when the Socceroos play their farewell friendly against South Africa in Sydney on May 26.
Postecoglou will then cut three players from his squad the following day before a 27-man squad head to Brazil on May.
Send Off the Socceroos
Socceroos vs South Africa, presented by NAB Monday 26 May 2014 ANZ Stadium, Sydney Kick-off: 7.30pm
Tickets from $30, including public transport. Buy now!