Sydney FC captain Luke Brattan took playing through the pain barrier to a whole new level this Isuzu UTE A-League Final Series.
Brattan was seen hobbling as Sydney’s season came to an end at the Semi-Final stage following a 2-1 aggregate loss to defending champions Central Coast Mariners, despite Saturday night’s 0-0 draw at a sold-out Industree Group Stadium in Gosford.
After the game, the Sydney star revealed he had been playing with a broken foot sustained in the Elimination Final triumph over Macarthur FC on May 4, which saw him substituted late on.
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“Yeah my ankle is no good. It happened in the Macarthur game,” Brattan said after the game.
“I’ve got a couple of fractures in there and a few floating bones so I had a jab before the game last week and another one at half time as I re-did it during the first half.
“Just a couple of needles and it is good. It is what it is mate.”
Brattan was also asked about his future after Sydney fell agonisingly short of a spot in the May 25 Grand Final.
The Sky Blues dominated proceedings in a controversial match that saw Ufuk Talay’s side denied a goal due to an offside in the lead-up – Robert Mak’s strike crossed the line in the 68th minute but it was deemed Fabio Gomes was in an offside position.
Brattan has called the Harbour City home since 2019 after loan spells with Bolton Wanderers and Melbourne City while on the books of Premier League juggernauts Manchester City.
The 34-year-old midfielder has won a Championship and a Premiership in that time but he is out of contract at the end of 2023-24.
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“I am off contract but I am a Sydney FC player,” said the four-time Isuzu UTE A-League champion.
“I love the club and this group of boys and I’ll reflect now and speak to my partner and do what’s best for me and my family.
“But I have loved every minute here and if I can stay, I would like to stay.”
