Teenage defender Lucas Herrington has been likened to a 'Rolls-Royce' by teammate Harry Souttar after becoming the youngest Australian to start a men's World Cup match at 18 years old. The unflappable defender played a key role in Australia's 0-0 draw against Paraguay, securing their place in the last 32. Herrington has already been linked with a move to Barcelona, and his next transfer could break the Australian record of A$26m set by Souttar's move to Leicester in 2023.
Herrington's composure under pressure
Souttar praised Herrington's calmness after the Paraguay match: 'You wouldn't think that's his first World Cup game. The guy was absolutely composed, calm. You can see the guy's like a Rolls-Royce.' Herrington's A-League club Brisbane Roar sold him to Colorado last year with a 20% sell-on clause, but cashed in before the World Cup for around A$500,000—a decision likely to cost them millions. Midfielder Connor Metcalfe said: 'They'll probably be kicking themselves.'
Herrington's journey from A-League to World Cup
Herrington has leaped from the A-League to facing stars like Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, and Son Heung-min in Major League Soccer, and now to starting for Australia in the World Cup. His calm distribution and physical dominance helped secure Australia's progress, even as Paraguay targeted him in the first half. Metcalfe noted: 'Nothing really fazes him, he never looks nervous, I'm not nervous when he has the ball. Sometimes if a young player is playing, a lot of the other boys can be nervous they're going to make a rash decision, but he is calm on the ball.'
Herrington stays grounded amid transfer speculation
Herrington handles talk of transfers and Barcelona links with the same composure he shows on the pitch. 'I'm just trying to stay present and really enjoy this moment. It's my first one, hopefully first of many, but it doesn't come around very often,' he said. 'I'm really just trying to put my best forward and work hard, and we'll see what comes after it.'
Critical draw against Paraguay
The 0-0 draw against Paraguay proved critical for Australia's World Cup campaign. A 1-0 defeat would have eliminated Australia, with Iran qualifying instead. Herrington's performance enhanced his reputation, which has soared since his A-League days. A video emerged of a 14-year-old Herrington watching the Socceroos at a 2022 World Cup fan zone, underscoring his rapid rise.
Herrington on his World Cup debut
Herrington was told by coach Tony Popovic days before the Paraguay match that he would start. 'I was ready for all three games and I just wanted to be involved, so when I got the nod for the Paraguay game I was over the moon,' he said. 'I let my parents know. Mum was a bit nervous but she was more excited than anything.'
When told of Souttar's Rolls-Royce comparison, Herrington smiled: 'No, I'm happy with Rolls-Royce. I'll take that.'
