Lucas Herrington has detailed the supportive phone call he received from Zlatan Ibrahimović after his penalty miss for Australia in the 2026 World Cup. The 18-year-old defender spoke about the moment in an exclusive interview with Stan Sport, which aired on Friday. Herrington stepped up for the Socceroos in their round of 32 shootout against Egypt in Dallas this July, but his shot hit the crossbar. Egypt won the shootout 4-2, ending Australia's tournament. Ibrahimović, commentating for Fox Sports, immediately defended the teenager on air and later reached out personally. The full conversation was revealed during an interview with Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer at Hull City's training ground.
What did Zlatan Ibrahimović say to Herrington?
Herrington told Schwarzer that Ibrahimović called him a couple of weeks after the World Cup exit. "He just said, really, like 'head up,'" Herrington recounted. "He asked how I was first, and I said, 'yeah, I'm good, how are you?'" The Swedish icon shared his own experiences with setbacks and encouraged the young defender. "He said he was proud of me and just to keep my head up," Herrington said. "It was obviously a tough moment, but he said he's had plenty of moments like that in his career and just to keep going." Schwarzer, initially skeptical, joked about being pranked before accepting the story was genuine.
How has Herrington responded since the World Cup?
The Brisbane-born player has channeled the experience into his club career with Hull City in the Premier League. He made his league debut as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Manchester United last weekend. Days later, he won man of the match in a midweek EFL Cup victory over Stoke City, a game that went to a penalty shootout. Herrington confirmed he practiced penalties the day before that cup match and scored a couple in training. "I'll be ready for the next one, and hopefully, I get that opportunity again," he stated. His next challenge is a league match against Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard.
What is next for Lucas Herrington and Australia?
Herrington's rapid rise from A-League prospect to Premier League player and World Cup participant marks a significant moment for Australian football. He admitted the speed of his progress is "still pretty mind-blowing." The defender is now a fixture in Hull City's plans and will be a key figure for the Socceroos in future campaigns. Fans can track the progress of the national team and its players on our dedicated squad and fixtures pages. His story underscores the blend of resilience and talent emerging from Australia's system as they build towards future tournaments.
