Melbourne Victory attacker Matt Grimaldi still pinches himself at the idea of being teammates with Juan Mata.
Coach Arthur Diles and Socceroos defender Jason Davidson both believe the Spanish superstar has that steely look in his eye and will surprise Australian football this season.
That starts with a blockbuster season opener against Auckland FC at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
"Juan is fit to join the squad, which is great," Diles said.
"He's probably ahead of where we anticipated him to be, which is credit to him coming in in good shape, and hit the ground running, and he's put himself up for selection, which is fantastic."
A start first-up is unlikely given Mata only joined training in the past month.
"Although we want to unleash him to the league and to all our opponents and to our fans, we've got to do what's right for him and the team, and we'll make that decision in the next 24 hours," Diles said.
After just seven starts at Western Sydney last season, Mata joined the Victory keen to have more playing minutes.
"The fact that he was so hungry to play - that for me was the most important thing, and that's what we want," Diles said.
"We need him to contribute to us on the pitch, to be that point of difference for us, to be the player we know he can be, and we'll build him up and make sure we get that from him."
Davidson hailed Mata's "hunger and ambition" and believes he can make the difference.
"I know he was in the league last year, and maybe didn't get as much minutes as he probably wanted," Davidson said.
"But I think he's come to the right club, and I think it's a perfect fit for us and for him, and I think he's going to surprise a few people this year."
Mata signed three days after former Western United youngster Grimaldi joined the Victory.
"Obviously when I was younger, I'd wake up, watch the Premier League, and you'd see him in the starting line-up against the big clubs," Grimaldi told AAP.
"So it's crazy, you pinch yourself sometimes, but now it's become the normal.
"He's a really good person. He's very humble. I'm always asking him things every day, trying to learn off him, because he's done it all and he's always easy to talk to.
"A lot of the things I ask about is just about players that he's played with. I've always loved Spanish midfielders and Andres Iniesta's always been my favourite player of all time.
"So I've asked him probably 1000 questions about him."
It's been a whirlwind past two months for Grimaldi, 21.
He was overseas on Olyroos duties when United were put into hibernation and he had to find another club.
"It was quite stressful being in another country and finding out your club's in this situation," he said.
"But after a couple phone calls, my head started to clear as I started to get to know where I was going to land, and in the end it all worked out."
Grimaldi looms as a starter, with Diles confirming Nishan Velupillay and Reno Piscopo will both miss through injury.
