Leckie’s case starts with availability.
That is a serious interruption for any international, especially one trying to stay relevant in his mid-30s. But the encouraging sign is that he got back on the pitch late in the A-League season and completed a 120-minute elimination final against Auckland. For Popovic and his staff, that kind of load is a more meaningful signal than reputation alone.
Leckie has long been known as a runner from wide areas, but his recent club role adds another layer. He has spent more time in midfield for Melbourne City and has again worked across different positions in camp.
That flexibility could be crucial.
In a national-team setup that is changing, being able to fill gaps can be as important as being a guaranteed starter.
Leckie is not trying to outrun time with promises; he is trying to do it with fitness. He described the camp as a “mini pre-season”, which hints at the workload required to get back to international level under the current staff. He also arrives as younger attackers such as Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure push into the picture, so competition is only getting sharper.
That is why the next chapter matters more than the last one. If Leckie can stay healthy, build minutes and show he can still handle Popovic’s demands, he may yet turn an injury-hit year into one more serious run at the biggest stage. The next camps - and the next squad call - will say a lot.