Xavier Stella has never played in a Melbourne Derby, but he knows exactly what it means to every Melbourne Victory fan.
A lifelong supporter, who is now embedded in the A-League Men’s First Team squad, the 19-year-old’s journey to donning the Big V is fairytale stuff, as he tells melbournevictory.com.au.
“It all started in the backyard with my dad, just started to have a kick and then he took me down to Moreland City.”
Enjoying his junior football, Stella would also go on to play for Templestowe United, Hume City and Northcote City, all clubs based in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Idolising the likes of Sergio Busquets and Fabinho, of FC Barcelona and Liverpool, Stella would first join Melbourne City’s youth ranks.
But the colours he wore on the field would not change who he went for in the A-League, supporting the Boys in Blue and chanting from the North Terrace.
“I was always a Victory fan, I used to come down to all the games with my dad, brother and also my mates, behind the goals.”
As such, Stella described the opportunity to join Victory as ‘the best feeling’.
“My dad got the call from Victory, and I couldn’t turn it down. It’s my boyhood club.
“I was proud for myself, my family; all the sacrifices we had to go through to get here.”
Since Arthur Diles’ side reunited in early July, preparing for the Club’s 21st season, Stella has been in the thick of it.
Getting his head down and working hard during pre-season, he has maximised the opportunities afforded to him, quickly impressing his peers and those watching from the sidelines.
“As soon as I’ve come in, all the boys have been really supportive of me. They gave me the belief, along with all the coaching staff as well, to believe in myself.”
Come Round 1 of the A-League Men’s season, Stella would have his dream come true after a meeting with Head Coach, Diles.
“Prior to training the day before the [Auckland] game, Dila called me into his office and told me that I was going to start.
“He said that all the coaching staff believe in me and what I could do, they were happy with how I was going. It was a crazy feeling.”
With his family cheering on in the crowd for Victory’s home-opener against the Black Knights at AAMI Park, Stella absorbed everything humanly possible from the incredible experience.
“Walking out to Stand By Me was the craziest feeling. I was getting goosebumps.
“I was nervous at the start, but once I got a few touches and got on the ball a bit, I was fine and just got into the game; it was unbelievable.”
Travelling with the First Team squad to away fixtures against Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory, Stella recorded his second and third appearances in midfield alongside some illustrious company – including a Victory Medal winner.
“Especially with Jordi (Valadon) next to me and Denis (Genreau) in front; they are both great players. They’ve made the games smooth and helped me a lot.”
Switching places with FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League Winner Juan Mata in all three opening games, Stella spoke highly of the Spaniard’s influence in the changing room and the example he sets for the younger players.
“With Juan, it speaks for itself, who he is and what he has done. He’s a great guy and he’s helped me a lot as well, giving me lots of advice.”
Previously representing the Young Socceroos and Joeys, Stella is hungry to keep growing as a player in his first season as a professional.
“I just want to experience as much as I can and get as many minutes as possible and just perform as best as I can by working hard every day in training.”
As one of the many Victorians, who make up more than half of Victory’s playing squads this season, get behind Stella and the Boys in Blue as they face Melbourne City in a Grand Final rematch at AAMI Park on Saturday, November 8, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT.
