Until now, playing in the FIFA World Cup was only a childhood dream for Socceroo Robbie Kruse.
That lifelong dream is about to become a reality with Kruse expected to line up for the Australia in their opening World Cup clash against France in Kazan, Russia on Saturday night.
With 64 games for the Socceroos under his belt, Kruse’s rise to the top hasn’t been smooth sailing in a career hampered by injury and a battle with booze in his younger years.
Socceroo Robbie Kruse (pictured) is expected to play his first World Cup match against France in Kazan on Saturday night
![Robbie Kruse, pictured in 2008, was a wayward teen during his turbulent time with his first club Brisbane Roar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/01/4D4941A400000578-5850421-image-a-15_1529108053952.jpg)
Robbie Kruse, pictured in 2008, was a wayward teen during his turbulent time with his first club Brisbane Roar
![Robbie Kruse's proud parents and wife Tiharny (pictured with Robbie), will cheering him on from the stands in Kazan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/03/4D49809900000578-5850421-image-a-8_1529114477926.jpg)
Robbie Kruse’s proud parents and wife Tiharny (pictured with Robbie), will cheering him on from the stands in Kazan
His World Cup dream was shattered four years ago when he tore his anterior crucial ligament while training six months prior to Brazil, which required a knee construction.
Kruse’s career kicked off with Brisbane Roar in 2007, when he scored in his A-League debut on his 19th birthday.
Living alone away from home, he soon became a wayward teen, where his time with the Roar was marred by ill-discipline, alcohol and off-field incidents, including an altercation outside a Queensland nightspot in 2008.
After being given several chances, Kruse was eventually sacked by the club.
‘There was a period of about five months where I would just smack a bottle of scotch a day and not give a f…. It wouldn’t bother me,’ the 29-year-old told The Herald Sun this week.
![Robbie Kruse's rise to the top hasn't been easy in a career hampened by injury and a battle with booze early on his career](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/01/4D4941AC00000578-5850421-image-a-16_1529108077293.jpg)
Robbie Kruse’s rise to the top hasn’t been easy in a career hampened by injury and a battle with booze early on his career
![Robbie Kruse's (pictured right) time with Brisbane Roar was marred by ill-discipline, alcohol and off-field incidents and was sacked by the club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/01/4D4941A800000578-5850421-image-a-17_1529108319368.jpg)
Robbie Kruse’s (pictured right) time with Brisbane Roar was marred by ill-discipline, alcohol and off-field incidents and was sacked by the club
‘I just got into a routine of doing it consistently everyday, and then still going to training and waking up feeling fine. It made me appreciate what football was when it got taken away from me, because I didn’t know where I was going to sign after.’
His brother Shane admitted he was shocked to recently read the revelations.
‘I knew he was doing it tough but I didn’t know it was to that extent. We were oblivious to it all,’ Shane told The Courier Mail.
‘For him to turn it all around, it’s a huge credit to him.’
![After representing Australia at under 17 and under-20s level, Robbie Kruse made his Socceroos debut in 2011](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/01/4D4941B000000578-5850421-image-a-21_1529108695620.jpg)
After representing Australia at under 17 and under-20s level, Robbie Kruse made his Socceroos debut in 2011
![After a troubled start to his soccer career, Robbie Kruse got his life back on track after meeting Tiharny (pictured). They are now married and will soon welcome their first child](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/01/4D4941C100000578-5850421-image-a-19_1529108333747.jpg)
After a troubled start to his soccer career, Robbie Kruse got his life back on track after meeting Tiharny (pictured). They are now married and will soon welcome their first child
Cheering him on in the crowd in Kazan alongside proud parents Ray and Lorraine on Saturday night will be Robbie wife’s Tiharny, who’s expecting their first child in August.
The couple met in Brisbane during Kruse’s tumultuous time with the Roar and headed south together when he was given a lifeline by Melbourne Victory in 2009.
‘Being around the likes of players such as (former Socceroos) Archie Thompson and Kevin Muscat, it really helped instil professionalism in Robbie. It took him out of his Brisbane comfort zone,’ his brother told The Courier Mail.
‘For him to play at a World Cup, especially after what happened to him last time, when he was in his prime, is the ultimate reward for him.’
![Robbie Kruse has played 64 games and scored five goals for the Australian Socceroos](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/16/01/4D4941B400000578-5850421-image-a-20_1529108345239.jpg)
Robbie Kruse has played 64 games and scored five goals for the Australian Socceroos