After yet another stunning strike, Australia’s World Cup hero Craig Goodwin insists he’s happy in the A-League Men with Adelaide United.
However, the 31-year-old said a third stint overseas was not out of the question after his star turn in Qatar.
Goodwin continued his good form in his return to club football on Saturday, netting an unstoppable free kick in Adelaide’s 3-1 away loss to Wellington Phoenix.
The South Australian is loyal to the Reds, winning the league and FFA Cup in two previous stints before returning home last year.
But his experience in the game means he is not blind to the fact that he is likely to be a man in demand.
“With the tournament, there is bound to be interest,” Goodwin told AAP.
“It’s not something I’ve spoken to my agent about. I’ve told him ‘let me just settle down, let me focus on Adelaide … unless something concrete comes up. You can tell me about that.’
“If a ridiculous offer was to come up, in Europe or I don’t know, something ridiculous, it could turn my head but for now, I see my future in Adelaide.
“I want to be here in Adelaide. I want to win trophies with Adelaide and I signed a three-year deal here.”
Goodwin has already enjoyed two overseas moves, one to Europe and another to Asia.
In 2016 he moved to the Netherlands and spent two seasons with Sparta Rotterdam, and in 2019 he went abroad again to Saudi Arabia for 18 months.
However, he’s now settled in Adelaide with his partner and young son, Ezra.
The winger is uniquely poised to tip the World Cup tournament winner, and is going with France to beat Argentina in Monday morning’s (AEDT) decider.
Goodwin is the only man to score against both finalists in Qatar, netting a first-time half volley against France and then a heavily-deflected long-range effort against Argentina.
“After coming up against both, I think France – as a collective – are an extremely strong team.
“They were better with the ball, better in possession. And they seemed to just find solutions to everything.”
“Having said that, they lost to Tunisia. And Argentina lost to Saudi so it’s going to come down to who’s better on the day.”
After his free kick stunner, Goodwin wheeled away with fingers on both hands pointing to the sky in the manner of Argentina ace Lionel Messi.
Goodwin said he didn’t mean to emulate Messi, but unknowingly, his reasons for doing so were the same – a tribute to his grandmother.
“I started doing that celebration back in around 2018 when my grandmother passed away,” he said.
“Since then I’ve continued to do it as a tribute to the family and friends that have passed away in my life that have played a big part in my life and in my football career.”
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