Four years on from his own formative World Cup experience, Massimo Luongo has backed teenage Socceroos prodigy Daniel Arzani to make an impact in Russia.
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And he expects big things from the 19-year-old in the future - so long as he's not coached out of his individuality.
Arzani is the youngest player at the World Cup and enters the tournament off the back of a debut international goal against Hungary on Saturday.
In Brazil it was Luongo in his position.
Luongo and fellow 21-year-olds Adam Taggart, Bailey Wright and Ben Halloran were the babies of the squad, effectively going to South America as a learning experience.
"I was just happy to be there, trying to keep up with everyone, trying to prove myself in the group," he said.
"I wasn't expecting minutes. I would have taken a minute on the pitch as a bonus, just to get on, but I didn't.
"This time round it's completely different. It's more about winning games, about the team doing well and I want to make an impact at this World Cup."
Luongo's advice to his junior, who has been earmarked to make a mark from the bench, is to seize the moment.
"He's young, he might not play every single minute, but the subs do make a massive impact.
"With fresh legs, with a bit of excitement they can really turn the game. It did against Hungary.
"He shows his personality on the pitch ... he hasn't been coached out of all that or he won't be coached out of all that.
"His mentality, it's not cocky, but it's almost arrogant. He believes in himself and in doing what he does. You see that in really good players."
Luongo said Arzani's tender years didn't mean he had more to prove.
"We don't have the old-school mentality where the young boys get bullied. Everyone is quite chilled," he said.
The pair shared the training pitch on their first full day in Kazan, while Tomi Juric, Andrew Nabbout, Tom Rogic and Trent Sainsbury sat out.
Team officials said all four were sore from their exertions against Hungary and would train on Tuesday.
While Arzani battles expectations in Russia, Luongo is facing his own fight to start.
He appears to be in a straight contest with captain Mile Jedinak to start alongside Aaron Mooy in midfield.
The Queens Park Rangers midfielder said he was comfortable with wherever the chips fell.
"No one knows who is going to play against France ... and the boss is quite good at keeping it that way before game time," he said.
"There's still everything to play for in training.
"I am not going to go out there and do things to try and prove myself and get in the boss's eyes. I am going to do what I have been told and watch ... if I play that's a bonus."
Australian Associated Press
