Megan Rapinoe, Romario and David Villa in the A-Leagues? Yes, it did happen!
Throughout the almost two decade long history of the competition, a number of stars from across the world have graced Australian shores – but some you may have forgotten along the way.
KEEPUP went back through the archives and selected a few of the players you may have forgotten played in the A-Leagues.
Kazuyoshi ‘King Kazu’ Miura
The ‘King’ graced us with his presence in year one.
At the ripe age of 38 years young, Japanese football legend Kazuyoshi Miura touched down at Sydney FC in 2005. Miura signed a guest contract with the Sky Blues in the first season of the competition, arriving in the competition to much fanfare.
A number of journalists got on the same flight as Miura when he made his sojourn down under and around 30 members of the Japanese media were at his first press conference. Broadcasters back home also paid to show his four games.
In those games, Miura scored two goals – coming in the one game against Adelaide United.
Incredibly, 18 years later, Miura is still playing at the age of 56 for Portuguese second division side U.D. Oliveirense, on loan from Yokohama FC. He is the oldest active professional footballer on the planet.
Romario
One of the greatest strikers to ever play the game had a short foray in the ‘City of Churches‘.
In 2006, Adelaide United signed a 40-year-old Romario to a short-term, five-game guest stint. The 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup winner brought a buzz to Adelaide, with crowds flocking to see “O Baixinho” (loosely translates to the ‘little one’ in Portuguese).
However, his stint was ultimately, disappointing, scoring only the one goal in a series of underwhelming performances. His coach John Kosmina pulled no punches in a book titled ‘A Decade United’ – saying he effectively “killed” their season.
“In one of the games, I think against the New Zealand side, Romario was playing like a busted arse,” the extract from Kosmina read in the book.
Kristie Mewis
Kristie Mewis was one of many USA internationals to ply their trade in the Liberty A-League.
Mewis arrived at Canberra United for a short stint at the back-end of the 2012-13 season, playing the final two games of the season.
The midfielder made it count during her short stint down under, scoring twice as Canberra finished fifth on the table. Mewis has gone on to stardom since then, becoming a main-stay of the American national team – featuring 50 times and scoring seven goals.
She was also part of the side that defeated the Matildas (which included her partner Sam Kerr) to win Olympic Bronze in Tokyo.
Megan Rapinoe
Talk about star power.
Sydney FC signed football legend and trailblazer Megan Rapinoe to a two-game guest contract at the beginning of the 2011-12 Liberty A-League season.
Her greatest impact came in her second and final game for the Sky Blues, scoring the sealer against Melbourne Victory.
And she’s had some career since then, becoming one of the most dominant players in the game, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner with the USA and a trailblazer for women’s sport.
Mario Jardel
After Romario, there was Mario Jardel.
The 10-time Brazil international touched down at Newcastle ahead of the 2007-08 season, arriving as the club’s marquee signing with an enormous pedigree as one of the world’s most prolific scorers in the late 90s/early 00s.
However, Jardel had a point to prove upon arrival, having been marred by injury and poor form across of stints across Europe and South America.
His stint in the Hunter didn’t turn the tide either. Jardel only played 11 games for the Jets, failing to score in any of his appearances and ultimately departing halfway through the season to be with his sick mother.
Ariane Hingst
After an incredible playing career across Europe, Ariane Hingst arrived in Australia.
Hingst brought enormous pedigree, as a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, three-time Olympic medallist and four-time European champion – to go with 173 caps for the German national team.
She finished her playing days in the Liberty A-League, signing for the Newcastle Jets after the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup – playing 10 games for the Novocastrian outfit in the 2011-12 season before moving to reigning champions Canberra United the following season.
The German played another 12 games, scoring a single goal during her stint in the capital – which turned out to be the final season of her legendary playing career.
Nadine Angerer
Hingst wasn’t the only legendary German footballer to touch down in Australia.
Nadine Angerer – a two time Women’s World Cup winner, five time European champions with Germany and FIFA Women’s Player of the Year (the first ever goalkeeper to win the award) – arrived at Brisbane Roar in 2013, playing two seasons at the club – the second being on loan from Portland Thorns.
Angerer featured 17 times during her stints in the Sunshine State, taking her place between the sticks on a losing 2014 Grand Final to Melbourne Victory.
David Villa
June 5, 2014.
In the months after being taken over by the City Football Group (CFG), Melbourne City sent a shockwave through the Australian football landscape when they announced the signing of Spanish football legend David Villa – a World Cup, European Championship, UEFA Champions League and LaLiga winner.
The superstar striker and Spain’s all-time leading scorer joined from sister club New York City FC – whom he had just signed for from Atletico Madrid – on a short-term, 10-game loan deal ahead of the MLS season.
Villa debuted off the bench in City’s season opener against Sydney FC, making his presence felt immediately by scoring a maiden goal – before hitting the scoreboard again a week later in his first start against Newcastle Jets.
Unfortunately, he would only feature twice more as he was recalled by New York, but his impact was profound.
In the games Villa played, it’s estimated he tripled City’s average attendance, including playing in front of one of the largest Melbourne Derby attendances of 43,729.
Kim Little
In 2015-16, Melbourne City assembled a Liberty A-League super team.
But among the star-studded team that included a plethora of Matildas and internationals such as Rebekah Stott, Jen Beattie and Jess Fishlock, Kim Little was perhaps the finishing touch.
The Arsenal superstar arrived at City from Seattle Reign, joining Joe Montemurro’s side alongside Fishlock on loan for a season. Little dominated in 12 games, scoring nine times – ranking only behind teammate Larissa Crummer in the Golden Boot standings.
Little helped City do the double, winning the Player of the Match award in their 4-1 grand final win over Sydney FC.
William Gallas
William Gallas – the first Frenchman to play in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
At 37, Gallas arrived at Perth Glory, five games into the 2013-14 season, following a well-tenured career playing for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham along with over 80 caps for the French national team.
However, the French defender’s time at the Glory only lasted a season, making 15 appearances and scoring the one goal for Perth before announcing his retirement from the game shortly after.
Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia has experienced it all.
From a packed Camp Nou, to European nights at Anfield to playing in-front of tomato sauce bottles in Gosford.
After being coaxed out of retirement just under a year prior to play in the Indian Super League, the Spain international arrived at Central Coast Mariners in January 2016 for the remainder of the 2015-16 campaign.
Unfortunately, his arrival was in a forgettable Central Coast season as the Mariners finished last – with only 13 points and three wins from 27 games.
Garcia played 10 games for the club and scored twice, before hanging up the boots for good at the end of the season.
Juninho Paulista
Another FIFA World Cup winner arrived on our shores in 2007 when Sydney FC landed Brazil international Juninho Paulista.
The midfield dynamo touched down in the Harbour City after a decorated career playing for the likes of Celtic, Atletico Madrid and Middlesbrough – signing as the club’s marquee player ahead of the 2007-08 season.
Unfortunately injuries curtailed his time at Sydney, but not without a few masterful performances along the way – namely in their friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy where he went toe-to-toe with David Beckham.
Sofia Huerta
Sofia Huerta – one of women’s football’s most dynamic full-backs – had quite the profound impact in the Liberty A-League.
Huerta dominated in her first stint down under, arriving at Adelaide United on loan from Chicago Red Stars in 2016. Playing as a midfielder, the 28-time US international scored eight goals and tallied five assists – finishing third in the Julie Dolan Medal.
But Huerta had unfinished business down under, returning for two more seasons on loan at Sydney FC in 2018 – where she helped the Sky Blues to the 2019 Championship.
Damien Duff
David Villa wasn’t the only big name international to touch down at Melbourne City in winter 2014.
Damien Duff, a former Chelsea, Newcastle United, Fulham player and 100-time Republic of Ireland international, moved to City on a one-year deal after his five-year stint at The Cottagers came to an end.
Duff’s impact was immediate on debut, the Premier League champion setting up Villa for his maiden goal. However, he would only feature 14 more times for City as his season came to a premature end due to injury.
Abby Dahlkemper
Before Abby Dahlkemper was a Women’s World Cup winner and a 79-time US international, she was lining up for Adelaide United.
Dahlkemper touched down in the city of churches on loan from Western New York Flash in 2015 and her impact was nothing short of profound.
The defender scored five goals in her 12 games at the club, as the Reds fell just short of a finals berth.
Honourable mentions
Lori Lindsey – Canberra United
Wes Hoolahan – Newcastle Jets
Joe Ledley – Newcastle Jets
Carly Telford – Perth Glory
Markel Susaeta – Melbourne City and Macarthur FC
Massimo Maccarone – Brisbane Roar
Benat – Macarthur FC
Benito Carbone – Sydney FC
Jen Beattie – Melbourne City
Brian Deane – Perth Glory
Robert Koren – Melbourne City
Siem de Jong – Sydney FC
