He hasn’t played for the Socceroos in four years, but Massimo Luongo is currently enjoying a staggering career renaissance in England’s third division – leading a 13-game unbeaten streak after returning to club he once represented over a decade ago.
Luongo, a former Spurs junior, racked up 43 Socceroos caps and made the squads for both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, but the undeniable highlight of his international career was the 2015 Asian Cup.
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The midfielder led the Socceroos to a maiden title on home soil and was named player of the tournament for his four assists and two goals, including a long-range opener against South Korea in the final.
But the 30-year-old has become one of Australia’s forgotten stars in recent years, battling a series of injuries that saw him fall down the Socceroos pecking order as a new generation emerged on the road to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Now, a surprise transfer has reignited his career and put him on the brink of a return to England’s second division.
After three seasons with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship and League One saw him amass 73 appearances, the midfielder surprisingly rejected a new contract for this season and instead moved to second-tier side Middlesbrough in September in a last-ditch bid to make a third consecutive Socceroos’ World Cup squad.
But injuries and fitness troubles meant he failed to make a single appearance for the senior squad. In January came the move that changed everything.
Luongo was released by Boro and signed on a six-month deal at third tier Ipswich Town – where he spent a brief spell on loan from Tottenham in 2012-13.
“It’s been 10 years or so since I was here before and it’s great to be back,” Luongo said at the time. Even he probably didn’t envisage the kind of impact his arrival would have.
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After battling his way to full fitness, Luongo made his first appearance for the club in mid-February in a 4-0 win.
It was a sign of things to come, with that win heralding the start of a remarkable run for the Blues. 13 games unbeaten – 12 wins and a draw – with 37 goals scored and just two conceded. Luongo has featured in every single one of them at defensive midfield, and started in the last 11.
He even picked up a goal last month in a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town, his first for the club since that brief 11-game stint on loan a decade ago.
The club now sits second in League One with just two games remaining, one point behind Plymouth Argyle. The top two teams are automatically promoted to the Championship, while teams ranked third through sixth play off for a third promotion place. But with a four-point gap to Sheffield Wednesday in third, Ipswich need just one win from their final two games to guarantee promotion and avoid the play-offs.
Luongo has developed his game significantly in recent years, becoming a hard-running defensive midfielder not afraid of picking up a foul or making a tough challenge.
He told BBC Radio Suffolk last month that he’s a world away from the youngster who first arrived at Portman Road on loan from Tottenham.
“Back then I was quite lightweight, everything I would do was more reactive because I was young and enthusiastic. Coming from the Tottenham Academy, I was more technical and trying to get my 100 passes in [per game],” he said.
“Now I’ve been around a lot and played a lot of games, and I know what it takes to win football matches. Now I know you’ve got to do the ugly side of it, you’ve got to fight and tackle and run – it might not be pretty all the time but that’s how you win.”
The Australian has quickly become an invaluable figure protecting the Ipswich Town backline – helping the side lead the league in clean sheets with 22 from 44 matches. 11 of those clean sheets have come in the 13 consecutive matches Luongo has featured in.
No wonder his social media is flooded by fans quoting a chant that has grown louder each passing game: “He’s here; He’s there; He’s every-f***ing-where; Massimo! Massimo!”
But he’s not the only Aussie at Ipswich Town – that backline features former U20 and U23 Australian international Cameron Burgess, a 6’4” defender who has featured 35 times for the club this season in all competitions.
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Luongo’s deal expires at the end of the season, though an offer to remain on their books looks a near certainty given his incredible form.
Burgess has one more season on his present contract plus a one-year club option for extension, raising the strong possibility of the two Aussies playing for the same Championship club next year.
Luongo doesn’t know where his future lies, but recently said he hopes to extend his career – especially since he’s enjoying the game more than ever.
Luongo told BBC Radio Suffolk: “I want to play while my body lets me and hopefully I’ve got a few more years – I think I do. Where? I don’t know, but I’m going to push while I can.
“At an older age, I’m enjoying my football more now than when you’re young and trying to prove yourself and survive in the game. I’m past that now.”
