Australia’s soccer stars all have family supporting them at the World Cup – but the cheers for goalkeeper Mat Ryan are a bit louder.
The 26-year-old paid for a small army of 27 family members to fly to Russia and follow the Socceroos from Kazan to Samara and Sochi.
The huge entourage – bigger than the 23-man Australian squad – ranges from his three-year-old cousin to his septuagenarian grandfather.
Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan flew 27 family members to Russia to watch the Socceroos play in the World Cup
Ryan (pictured in Australia’s draw with Denmark) is the Socceroos’ starting goalkeeper
Grinning group photos showed Ryan’s fan club at the departures lounge in Sydney, and arriving in Kazan on June 16 for the team’s first match against France.
Led by his mother Carol and sister Megan, they all wore green and gold shirts, scarves, and hats to each match.
The family seemed to be enjoying themselves on tour, seeing the sights of Moscow’s Red Square, palaces of Saint Petersburg, and the Kazan Kremlin between games.
Ryan credits Carol with kickstarting his career by driving him to training and matches as a child and teenager, and wanted to give back.
The huge fan club posed at the departures lounge of Sydney Airport before jetting off to Russia
Ryan’s family poses outside the team hotel in Kazan after the first match against France
Ryan’s cousin Jordan Lecher, 22, and other family get excited during the Socceroos match against Denmark in Samara match
‘They’ve been there for the journey since I was born and they’ve witnessed every sacrifice and everything that I’ve had to go through,’ he said at a press conference with coach Bert van Marwijk.
‘Fortunately the life I live now enables me to try and give back to them a little bit.
‘To share an experience like this with them is going to be something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.’
Ryan, who can afford the hefty travel bill with his wages from English Premier League club Brighton, said the contingent could have been twice as big.
Mr Lecher and other family pose with Danish fans outside the stadium in Samara
Family members Jessica and Lisa with Ryan’s sister Megan (right) at the opening match in Kazan
Mr Lecher with his girlfriend Alexandra show their colours during the Denmark match
‘I asked the family members and they were interested to come across. Half said yes, half are still at home, it’s a bit better for the back account I guess,’ he joked.
‘It is all designed to be a life long memory for all involved; there is nothing better than begin able to treat family well and to look after them.’
Ryan’s family ties run so deep he even bought his childhood home in Oakhurt, Sydney, when his mother moved out in 2014.
Ryan makes an appearance with his family, dressed in his official team gear, after a game
Jess, Megan, and Lisa go to a Russia match while seeing the sights of Saint Petersberg between Socceroos matches
A family dinner in Moscow as team Ryan played tourist between matches
Carol said Ryan made the offer when Australia travelled to Honduras for qualifying in November and planning began right after the Socceroos’ victory.
‘I never thought it would be possible that we’d be standing in a hotel in Russia, getting ready to watch him play. He’s created so many opportunities for Megan and myself,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.
‘When his grandparents said they could come, he didn’t think twice. It’s a testament to who he still is, the same humble person as when he started out.’
They also visited the Kazan Kremlin early in the trip following the first match against France