Socceroos shock as in-form star retires from Aussie duties before crucial Asian Cup campaign

Socceroos midfielder Massimo Luongo has announced his international retirement in a bombshell move less than 48 hours before Australia coach Graham Arnold names his 26-man squad for January’s Asian Cup.

Luongo only returned to the Socceroos’ fold in October when he made his first appearance in the green and gold since January 2019, having battled repeated injuries in that nearly four-year absence.

But on the back of a stunning return to form in 2023 Luongo was set to be selected for a third Asian Cup, having played a crucial role in the Socceroos’ sole triumph on home soil in 2015 where he won the tournament’s most valuable player award.

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But the 31-year-old ruled himself out of selection for next month’s tournament - and retired completely from international football - in order to remain with his club Ipswich Town as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

Luongo has been a key member of the Ipswich side this season, featuring in 21 league matches to guide the team to second on the ladder and just three points behind high-flying Leicester City.

Earning promotion to England’s top flight would pocket Luongo a healthy financial bonus. Equally crucial for Luongo’s future is the looming end to his club contract at season’s end.

Missing up to six weeks of club football to travel to Qatar for the Asian Cup in January, where Luongo would not have expected to be a nailed-on starter for Arnold’s side, would have had a significant impact on both Ipswich Town and Luongo’s contract hopes for next season – either at Ipswich or elsewhere.

“It was a hugely frustrating time to be on the sidelines to