Socceroos hero Nestory Irankunda once honed his talents right here in Shepparton.
A star was born on the biggest stage in sport at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Nestory Irankunda set the Socceroos on the road to victory against Türkiye.
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The 20-year-old’s inspired performance in the Group D opener will go down in Australian history as he sparked rapturous celebrations across the land down under with his magnificent strike en route to a famous 2-0 win.
Tony Popovic’s young side outperformed an opposition composed of household names including Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu in one of the most compelling games of the tournament so far.
A true all-round showing from the Socceroos saw goalkeeper Patrick Beach and defensive colossus Harry Souttar lay the foundations for goalscorers Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe to produce the goods in the final third.
The Watford ace produced a true moment of magic in the green and gold, evading the opposition backline with an electric burst of pace before slotting a perfectly-weighted finish past Uğurcan Çakır.
Earning global recognition overnight for his display, Irankunda’s story is one defined by overcoming adversity, with the winger having first arrived in Australia at the age of three months after being born at a refugee camp in Tanzania.
The child of parents who had fled civil war in Burundi, he grew up alongside his seven siblings in Perth before the family moved to Adelaide, where the future international forward developed a love of the beautiful game.
During his fledgling years on the field, the attacker modelled his style of play on the legendary Lionel Messi, who will appear for World Cup holders Argentina in the Americas this year.
Future Australia senior international Nestory Irankunda during the AFC U17 qualifiers tournament at John McEwen Reserve.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
His youth career saw him emerge at Northern Wolves, before spells with Parafield Gardens and Adelaide Croatia Raiders before he eventually joined A-League outfit Adelaide United.
After appearing in Australia’s top tier at the tender age of 15 years and 333 days back in 2021, Irankunda made his mark right here in the Goulburn Valley lighting up Sheppparton during the AFC under-17 Asian Cup qualification tournament.
The then-teenager announced himself as one to watch with magnificent outings versus Northern Mariana Island, Cambodia, China PR at Shepparton Sports City Precinct back in October 2022.
Demonstrating his eye for goal, he scored seven times for the Subway Joeys during the round robin competition, as Australia’s youth side secured its spot at the AFC U17 Asian Cup.
Blowing Northern Mariana Islands away in a 23-0 win, they followed that up with a 10-0 win over Cambodia before Irankunda led his side to a 3-1 victory against China PR with a brace and an assist.
Speaking at the FIFA World Cup Kickoff Event at the Shepparton Showgrounds nearly four years later, Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Shane Sali hoped that Irankunda’s heroics for his country can inspire the next generation of sports stars in the region.
“Irankunda, who scored Australia’s first goal actually played here in 2022 as part of the AFC U17 Asian Cup,” he said.
“So we have had Australia’s very best players grace our football pitches here, so it provides great inspiration.
“If people go on to play and feature on the world stage that’s a bonus!”
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