Friday night was a forgettable night for Melbourne Victory but Denis Genreau’s light continues to shine in the Isuzu UTE A-League as the Aussie stars fights to make his way back into the CommBank Socceroos squad.
Genreau has made no secret of his desire to return to the international stage with Australia ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup – it was a key reason behind his switch to Victory for season 2025-26 and he was on the scoresheet in the 5-2 defeat away to Newcastle Jets.
After his man-of-the-match performance in Round 1, the six-time Socceroo scored his first top-flight goal since March 2021, when he was playing for Macarthur Bulls in the A-Leagues. The 26-year-old scored for French club Toulouse and Spain’s Deportivo La Coruna abroad but those goals were either in second-tier competition or cup fixtures.
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Genreau’s 1,671-day first was in front of Socceroos boss Tony Popovic, who was in the stands at McDonald Jones Stadium as Australia prepare for next month’s international friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia.
“He was excellent. The goal and the assist. Just constantly dangerous, constantly a threat,” Victory head coach Arthur Diles told reporters.
“That’s only his second 90 minutes in 12 months or so, and he’s going to get a lot better, and he’s already showing his qualities, and he’s only 60-70%.
“He’s got a big ceiling and a lot to look forward to in the coming months.”
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Genreau has not represented the Socceroos since 2023.
Asked whether Genreau should be in the Socceroos conversation, Diles replied: “I think so.
“I think he’s already there anyway. He’s on the periphery.
“He has to keep performing. Keep doing well for us and himself and if he does that, I’m sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“Until that happens, he has to keep working and help our team be stronger, and help him be the best version of himself.”
