The 24-year-old, who was on Thursday named as a starting 11 player in the PFA's team of the season also revealed he may have played his last game for Melbourne City.

Novillo, who has one year left on his contract, would prefer to return to Europe to be closer to his family.

He also said that if he did return to Australia he would want a salary hike or perhaps a marquee spot, hinting that he would be prepared to move to another club if they made him one of their marquee men.

However, his ambitions could be stymied by the fact that he has one year left on his contract. While City might be prepared to let him return to Europe, they could demand a transfer fee for their mercurial forward, who began his career with his home town team Lyon.

Novillo has not spoken to the media since the club imposed a two-game suspension on him and fined him half a week's wages after news broke in February that he had been led away from his apartment by police who had allegedly attended a domestic incident involving him and his 23-year-old partner Giulia.

No charges were laid against Novillo but the stigma stuck to him and the club.

On Thursday, as he was being lauded by the PFA for his selection in the team of the season, he chose to break his silence on the matter, saying he had never physically assaulted the young woman whom he is set to become engaged to in the near future.

"I had the incident with my partner that I think the media put a bit higher than normal, and the police as well," he said. "I didn't express myself on this case because I don't have to. The media make their story, me and my partner will know the real story.

"At the end I am happy with my partner. We are getting engaged soon. everything is OK for me on my side.

"I don't have to say exactly what happened this night because it's between me and my partner, but the police put everything out. I don't know how that happened. Even if it had nothing bad at all in this story people talk about punch, kick, this and that.

"That never happened because I think if that did happen my missus will not be with me today and I think I will be in jail. The impact of a man kicking a girl can be [horrific].

"That hurt me. The image I have is like that of the funny man, and that's me. I am always laughing and then you know your image is directly cut by something you didn't do.

"If I got involved it will destroy me inside, and I didn't want to be involved in  this," Novillo said, explaining his silence and refusal to talk about the incident.

He returned to action in time to boost City's run in the final weeks of the season and produced in his first match back, a 1-0 win in Adelaide in late March.

"When I came back the coach said one of my best games was the one in Adelaide just after this incident. I worked hard for the team even if I didn't score.

"I knew the truth and it pushed me even more to show to the people who were bad against me. I had to show them who I am mentally."

He said he had no problem with the club imposing its own two-week ban on him.

"I can understand because I have an image, the club have an image, when my name is out on the TV it's the name of the club which is also out on the TV. I respect the club, everything went against them. I have nothing against them."

Novillo's warning that he might not be at La Trobe for the final year of his deal has more to do with wanting to return to France than of chasing money, although he also indicated his performances this year deserved more reward.

"I really don't know if I will be back next season. I have to think about what I really want. Australia is a really beautiful country but I think it's a bit far from my country and I am still young.

"I do love Australia. It's unbelievable here, but then its up to the club, me personally ... staying in the salary cap is not an objective for my personal career.

"I have no problem with the club at all. But maybe this country is a bit too far for me and I have to think about it if I want to come back next season.

"I played only 20 games this season. Its not a full season, its 20 out of 27... but in 20 games if you look at the other marquees from the other clubs only [Besart] Berisha did more than me.

"If I look at the stats, 20 games, 10 goals, six assists ... I am involved in 16 goals in the season, that can make the difference in the season."