Kusini Yengi on the new Nike Socceroos kit and making space for more diversity in football

LIKE ALL SOCCER fan-boys growing up in the 2000s, Kusini Yengi idolised Cristiano Ronaldo. “He was the pinnacle for me as a young kid, in terms of what a footballer could be,” says the 26-year-old. But he didn’t just stop as ‘could’. For Yengi, who grew up in Adelaide, it was watching local players like Fábio Ferreira who set an example that a career as a professional footballer was possible. “These were players I saw on a more day-to-day basis . . . they truly inspired me to pursue my dreams.”

Soon enough, Yengi would go on to make his professional debut in 2020 for Adelaide United, the same team Ferreira played for between 2012 to 2015. As a substitute, Yengi would score goals that not only placed him on every rising star list, but poised a comeback for his team against arch-rivals Melbourne Victory. Iconically, he celebrated his victory by jumping over advertising hoardings in front of the opposing team’s fans. Leaving Adelaide in 2022, Yengi headed for Sydney to join the Western Sydney Wanderers where he crucially scored a goal to beat Sydney FC, winning the Sydney Derby.

2023 would be the sharp-shooter’s biggest year yet, promoted to striker for Portsmouth, and internationally for the Socceroos. It’s the latter that brings Yengi to the topic of our conversation.

Launching today, acclaimed Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie has created a wearable artwork for the team in a newly designed Nike kit, which will make its debut on the backs of the Matildas at the SheBelieves Cup on February 21. The bold design features Rennie’s signature zig-zags, a motif he’s used to explores his First Nations identity and history, of green over a gold base. Yengi will also don the kit during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

On designing the kit, Rennie shares in a press release of his “deep connection to the culture of football”. “Growing up in the western suburbs of Melbourne, I saw first-hand how the game united the local community I was a part of, and what it means to wear the national jersey. To feel part of something bigger”.

The importance of community in football is a sentiment Yengi shares, who now hopes to make aspiring young players feel represented when they watch him on the field. “It’s really important in a football team because it allows players to express themselves in different ways on the field, based on how they learned to play the game in various areas and cultures,” he says. “That’s part of the message behind the jersey – to shine a light on different cultures and support diversity driving Australian football forward.”

Ahead of the release of the new Nike kit, Esquire caught up with the Portsmouth and Socceroos forward about his idols growing up, what he hopes wearing the new kit will achieve on the international field, and creating space for more young and diverse players.

Esquire: Growing up, was there a player you admired that made you want to pursue a football career?

Growing up my biggest idol was Cristiano Ronaldo, I always looked up to him and he inspired me to dream and set goals. He was the pinnacle for me as a young kid, in terms of what a footballer could be. 

But I also had local idols that made me think I could achieve my goals and really truly be a professional footballer. These were players I saw on a more day-to-day basis, like Awer Mabil and Fábio Ferreira. These players made me think that my goals were achievable, and they truly inspired me to pursue my dreams.

You’ve become a role model in your own right. What advice would you give someone who wants to play, but may think football isn’t a space for them?

I believe football is a space for everyone. It’s a very inclusive sport, one that you can play in different environments, cultures, and at various levels. Some people play professionally, some semi-professionally, while others play at grassroots levels, at school, or even in their backyard. It’s a sport with no limits, and anyone can give it a try.

My advice would be to just give it a shot, and I’m sure you won’t look back. You’ll love every moment – both the good and the bad – and you’ll have a smile on your face while you’re doing it, which will encourage you to keep coming back.

How important is it that young people feel represented in sport and have role models to look up to such as yourself?

It’s very important for young people to feel represented by someone who shows them there’s belief and that they can achieve their dreams or goals. They need role models who relate to them and inspire them to play the sport. As I mentioned, Cristiano Ronaldo was a big influence on me. But at all levels, that’s what’s great about football, especially with the Australian national teams. We have senior men’s teams, youth teams, the Pararoos, futsal teams, and the Matildas. 

Anyone aspiring to be a footballer, no matter how young, has someone they can look up to and relate to, giving them a sense of hope and inspiration to participate in football. Which is amazing.

They say that ‘diversity is our strength’. Do you see some truth in this statement on the football field? Do you think diversity within a team is important?

Diversity is massive. It’s really important in a football team because it allows players to express themselves in different ways on the field, based on how they learned to play the game in various areas and cultures. That’s part of the message behind the jersey – to shine a light on different cultures and support diversity driving Australian football forward.

Nike is the kit supplier for the Socceroos, but also for your club Portsmouth. What do you appreciate most about the brand’s bold designs?

I love Nike. It’s a brand I’ve always loved since I was a kid. Growing up, I watched the best athletes and superstars wearing Nike, whether it was clothing, shoes, or football boots. I’ve always worn Nike and love the brand. They have amazing designs – cool, bold, and sometimes different, making people stand out. I’m all about that. They’re always innovating by introducing new technology and cool ideas, making things bigger and better than before. That’s what I love most about the brand. So, being able to wear Nike for both my national team and club is an amazing experience, and I love it.

Kits are powerful, wearable statements. What do you admire most about Reko Rennie’s new design for the Socceroos kit?

I loved the new design the moment I saw it. I knew it was a jersey that would resonate with me. It’s something powerful, with a message behind it. The jersey is bold, and we’re going to stand out on the field when we wear it. People will be watching – whether on TV or in the stadium-and say, “Wow, who’s that team playing?” They’ll know it’s the Socceroos because of the bright, electric, cool, and fun design of the jersey. It’s going to be a memorable jersey for a lot of people, especially since it will be the one we wear to qualify for the next World Cup. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to wear it on the field.

What does the slogan ‘Forever Forging Forward’ mean to you?

To me, this slogan means a lot. I believe Australia is a hidden gem when it comes to football. Our national team is continually growing and developing. We have so much culture, talent, and a unique environment, a melting pot of people in Australia that will fuel our national team for the next five, ten, or even fifteen years. 

Hopefully, we’ll be able to compete on the biggest stage with the biggest nations, winning titles and trophies. The slogan embodies all of that: constantly improving, striving to get better, expressing our national team and football through different cultures. Every day, we aim to improve, inspire others, and unite toward a common goal. I love that.

In your opinion, why is football such a powerful platform for bringing people together across generations, cultures and backgrounds?

Football is an amazing sport. I love it and definitely don’t take for granted the opportunity to play professionally. But even before becoming a professional, as a kid, football was a sport that brought people together from different cultures and backgrounds. No matter who you are or what you look like, you can play the game in some form. It’s a very simple game, requiring minimal equipment, and yet it can bring so much joy to so many communities. It’s a sport where people unite for a common goal, have fun, and stay active. That’s why I love football so much-it’s a powerful sport that connects people all around the world.

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