Jason Geria is the first to say his career hasn't always gone according to script.
But after waiting eight years between his first Socceroos cap and his second, the veteran defender can finally enjoy the happy ending that's arriving at the back end of his journey.
Geria, 33, debuted under Ange Postecoglou in 2016 but didn't play again under his reign, then was completely overlooked by Graham Arnold.
Tony Popovic, Geria's former Melbourne Victory boss, called up the defender when he was appointed Socceroos coach in October 2024.
Geria has been an ever-present since, and was this week selected for his first World Cup.
"It's not ideal, your first one at 33 - but then again, I was away from here for eight years, that's not ideal either. Like, my story is not exactly the ideal script," Geria said in Oakland on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
"It's hard to explain it, like my rewards in my career have come towards the latter stages, as opposed to being in the middle or the beginning.
"But I guess that comes from just always believing that this could be possible, and then just keep just continuing to work and try and improve and be the best version of myself possible, and then just keeping an open mind that things can happen.
"And fortunately the cards have fallen my way, and I'm here getting ready for a World Cup, which I now still can't even believe."
The Albirex Niigata defender was still processing fulfilling his World Cup dream.
"I definitely had a moment, called my family, called my friends, and lot of tears, a lot of emotions," Geria said.
Geria first played under Popovic at the Victory in 2021 and the pair have a tight working relationship.
"I've learned the most off him than I have probably from any other coach I've had, and he's instilled a lot of belief in myself in elevating my game and making me a better player," Geria said.
"The way he works, it really gets the best out of me.
"I'm just grateful that not only for Victory, but he's applied that faith in me for the national team as well, and he gave me an opportunity at the end of 2024 and continued to persist with me.
"I'm just really happy that he has the belief."
Popovic's demanding style of management isn't for every player, but it suits Geria to a tee.
"I'm one of those where he's constantly pushing and I think even at times has had more belief in me than I've had in myself," Geria said.
"That's something incredible, I think, and something that's allowed me to be the best version of myself as a football player."
