Victoria’s Jordan Bos enjoyed a breakout performance for the Socceroos against Argentina in last night’s 2-0 defeat at Beijing's Workers' Stadium.
It has been a big month for the prodigious talent having sealed a recording-setting move to Belgian Pro League outfit KVC Westerlo on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
He was also named the A-League Men's Young Footballer of the Year for an outstanding 2022/23 campaign with City, registering two goals and three assists.
Following the match, the 20-year-old was asked if he felt at home to following the match and while pleased, a self-critical Bos felt he could have been better in the second half.
"I think so," he told Football Australia Media.
"Especially the first half maybe not so much the second half but yeah, definitely great experience playing the world champions and yeah, obviously just getting out there and making my starting debut.
Over 68,000 fans packed the venue in what was largely a partisan Messi crowd, and Bos admitted the occasion was something he will use to continue developing.
"Obviously (it was) hard work, tough conditions, but just so much to learn from it," he said.
"Great experience and yeah, it was it was just amazing."
Bos played the full 90 minutes for the Socceroos, completing 42 passes at 93%, and had two shots from outside the box.
That license to play with freedom was palpable when venturing forward and the ex-Melbourne City man created the Aussie's best chance of the game via an in-swinging cross which saw Mitch Duke's volley denied by Emiliano Martinez.
"I just cut it in and I saw Dukey making a run," he explained.
"So I just try to put it on a platter for him and unfortunately it didn't go in."
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold was impressed with the youngster’s performance, claiming he has “such a bright future ahead of him”.
“That’s how he needs to play,” Arnold told Football Australia media.
“I need to play players to their strengths and Jordy’s strength is going forward and we need to make sure we are protecting him defensively and he will improve out of sight.
“After this game the kid will walk away knowing he belongs, he belongs on the big stage now.”
Bos also caught the eye of former Socceroos Archie Thompson and Luke Wilkshire who were part of Channel 10’s coverage of the match.
“He is comfortable there (left back), this is his first start and especially against the world champions, but he always looked positive in the way that when he got the ball he wanted to attack,” Thompson said.
“He wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger.
“I feel like if you can add dynamics to your game, where you go inside or you go outside it is very difficult for a defender to mark that and he was exceptional tonight thought.”
“He can do both (inside and out), Wilkshire added.
“That’s his second cap at 20 years old playing in front of 68,000 people against the world champions, phenomenal performance from Jordy Bos – that’s the future.”
Bos was one of five Victorians to take the pitch against Argentina with Matthew Leckie, and Jamie Leckie starting, while Denis Genreau and Ajdin Hrustic coming on during the match as substitutes.