The confirmation of his move to Spain’s La Liga has ended a remarkable month for Socceroos winger Awer Mabil.
Still on a roll after helping Australia defy its chances of qualifying for the World Cup through a thrilling play-offs campaign, Mabil had even more cause for celebration in Adelaide on Friday when his four-year contract with Spanish club Cadiz was announced.
“La Liga is one of the best championships in the world, with some of the best teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético de Madrid,” said Mabil.
“I never thought I would play against them – now it’s reality.
“Now I have to work hard. I will do my best to win games, (and) against the big teams, it will be even more special.”
The 26-year-old former Adelaide United forward said earning a contract with a La Liga club was a reward for his determination to prove critics wrong after a rough end to his time at FC Midtjylland.
Camera IconSocceroo Awer Mabil has joined the Spanish club, Cadiz. Credit: News Corp Australia, NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier
“A year ago, someone told me I wasn’t good enough to play in the top five in the world,” he said.
“I took that as motivation. I look for little things to motivate me; this is just another step to take my game to another level.
“Everyone has their own path. It comes down to how much you want it and your willingness to put in the effort.
“I could have come back (to the A-League) after Denmark and not played as much… but I was determined that one day I would achieve this.
“I had to go through those difficult times. For anyone going abroad, the most important thing is to have that guts and keep going, and remember what you want to achieve… because the doors will open for you.
A similar determination to prove doubters wrong inspired the Socceroos in this month’s World Cup play-offs against the United Arab Emirates and Peru.
“Not many people believed in us, especially after we didn’t qualify directly (for the World Cup), but we did it,” said Mabil, who was awarded a penalty in Australia’s qualifying success against Peru.
“We are going there (to Qatar 2022) with the same momentum. We have what we need to improve and will work on those things.”
Mabil said the Socceroos were not afraid to be a group that included reigning world champions France, Denmark, and Tunisia.
“We see the group as a good group, and it could be to our advantage depending on how we go about it, and we’re going to take it with both hands.”