Socceroos captain Mat Ryan has gone viral for a stunning double save against Barcelona, which may have helped ensure that he breaks a national team record this year.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper is playing for Levante in La Liga and although the relegation battlers were beaten 3-0 by the Catalan giants, the Australian had a positive takeaway from his visit to the iconic Camp Nou.
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Ryan was kept extremely busy in goal on Monday morning AEST as Barcelona registered 22 shots, ten of which were on target, and boasted 74 per cent possession.
But the third most capped Socceroo of all time limited the damage, denying the likes of Raphinha, Robert Lewondowski and Dani Olmo before producing his stunning highlight late in the match.
Ryan rose towards the crossbar and kept out a Raphinha header with just his right hand.
His spectacular effort appeared likely to be unrewarded as the ball spilt into the six-yard box, only for Ryan to bounce up like a cat to block Fermin Lopez’s shot with his left arm.
The Australian then jumped to catch the ball after it ballooned up in the air.
Replays of the mighty double save have blown up on social media, and also given Australian fans confidence that the experienced shot stopper will be primed for a big World Cup later this year.
Ryan has been somewhat in the dark about his future after Socceroos boss Tony Popovic left him on the bench for a pair of friendlies last year.
He had been unsure about his next move at club level after leaving French club Lens last year.
But the former Brighton and Arsenal keeper has enjoyed a resurgence in form since joining Levante, despite the club’s struggles in La Liga.
The turnaround almost assures his place as Australia’s No.1 in what is set to be his fourth World Cup.
With ten appearances at the World Cup, Ryan only needs one more outing to surpass Matt Leckie with the most appearances for Australia at the showpiece event.
He is also set to join Tim Cahill as the only Australian to be in the squad for four World Cups.
With 101 international caps, Ryan sits third on the all-time standings behind Cahill and former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Nine more appearances between the sticks for his country and Ryan will pass Schwarzer.