Mathew David Ryan (born 8 April 1992) is an Australian professional football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Eredivisie club AZ and captains the Australia national team.
Born in Sydney, Ryan played youth football for Marconi Stallions, Blacktown City and Central Coast Mariners. He made his senior debut for Blacktown before moving to the Mariners' senior squad in 2010. In 2013, Ryan moved to Club Brugge, where he played for two years before joining Valencia.
Ryan made his senior international debut in 2012, and has since established himself as Australia's first-choice goalkeeper, effectively succeeding his childhood idol Mark Schwarzer. He played at the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018, and 2022, as well as the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 and 2019, winning the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2015 tournament which his country won on home soil.
Ryan was born in Plumpton, New South Wales and attended Westfields Sports High School. He took up football at the age of four and played youth football for Blacktown City and Central Coast Mariners before making his senior debut with Blacktown City. After moving to Central Coast Mariners in 2010, Ryan moved to Club Brugge in 2013.
In addition to holding an Australian passport, Ryan also has a UK passport.
Ryan received his first call-up to the Socceroos squad for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Saudi Arabia in February 2012. Later that year, he was selected in the squad for the second preliminary round of the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup. He made his senior international debut in a 1–1 draw with North Korea on 5 December 2012.
In November 2013, longtime Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer announced his international retirement following the appointment of new coach Ange Postecoglou, leaving Ryan as one of the contenders to be the new first-choice keeper. Postecoglou identified Ryan and fellow young keeper Mitch Langerak as two of the main candidates for the role.
Ryan was selected in May 2014 in the Australian squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He played in all three of Australia's games as they were eliminated in the group stage after losses to the Netherlands, Chile and Spain. Ryan's own performances in the tournament were mixed, and he described the matches as a "massive learning curve" for himself.
Months later, Ryan was selected for the Australian 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad, to be played in Australia in early 2015. He put in a number of strong performances throughout the tournament as Australia conceded just two goals in reaching the Final against South Korea. Australia claimed their first AFC Asian Cup title after winning 2–1 in extra time. Ryan was named the official Best Goalkeeper for the tournament.
In May 2018 he was named in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
On 15 October 2019, Mathew Ryan captained Australia for the first time, becoming the 62nd player to captain Australia in a 7-1 win over Chinese Taipei. During this game Ryan also became Australia's 2nd most capped Goalkeeper with 58 caps, surpassing Zeljko Kalac.
Later, he was included in the final 26-man squad for Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Season Stats
2 appearances in the current 2024-2025 Season
AFC Asian Cup 2015 Australia | Australian A-League Champions 2013 Central Coast Mariners | Australian A-League Premiers 2011-2012 Central Coast Mariners |
2002-2008 |
2008-2009 |
2009-2013 |
2013-2015 |
2015-2017 |
2017 (Loan) |
2017-2021 |
2021 (Loan) |
2021-2022 |
2022-2023 |
2021-2023 |
2023-2024 |
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