Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler has achieved a FIFA World Cup berth, something his legendary father, Paul Okon, never managed during his illustrious career. The 21-year-old was named in Australia's 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament, fulfilling a dream that eluded one of the country's greatest ever players.
A Proud Father's Words
When Okon Sr, now an assistant coach for the Socceroos, congratulated his son on the selection, he shared a poignant message. "He said, 'You've already done something that I haven't been able to do. I never got the opportunity to play in a World Cup'," Okon-Engstler recalled. The elder Okon's final appearance for Australia came in 2003, missing the 2006 World Cup that ended a 32-year drought.
Gratitude and Focus
"Just me being able to do that and to take part in that is such an achievement for me and my family. I'm just so grateful for that," Okon-Engstler said. He acknowledged the challenge of maintaining a normal father-son relationship during national camps, where the dynamic shifts to a coach-player one. "Once I'm in camp it's just a normal coach-player relationship, but as soon as I go outside of camp, it's back to normal... I'm just focused on doing my best in training and playing."
Family Legacy Continues
The Okon football lineage may extend further, as younger brother Gianluca, a 17-year-old midfielder based in Belgium, has already represented Italy and Australia at youth levels. "He will make that decision when the time comes. I'm not going to put any pressure on him," Okon-Engstler said. "I just hope one day that I'm able to play with him. Where that is, I don't know, but it would be a great moment for me and my family."
Path to the World Cup
Okon-Engstler honed his skills in the youth system of Belgian giants Club Brugge before moving to Benfica in Portugal, where he spent three years with their youth and reserve teams. He signed with A-League side Sydney FC in July last year, and his strong form earned him a Socceroos debut four months later against Venezuela in Houston. "Being able to play my first full season professionally as a footballer has just helped me grow so much physically and mentally," he said ahead of the World Cup warm-up match against Switzerland in San Diego. "I'm just so happy that I'm able to have the opportunity at the end of my season to be able to take part in the World Cup. I'm just trying to improve every day as a person, as a player and just trying to be the best version of myself."
