Jamie Maclaren, the esteemed captain of Melbourne City, has been losing some sleep of late. However, it has nothing to do with the unfortunate event of missing out on the Socceroos squad for the second time in a row; his wakeful nights are due to the arrival of a new member in his family, his adorable baby girl, Remi.
Maclaren, the A-League’s most lethal and consistent striker, expressed no grievances but genuine happiness at this fresh chapter in his life. “I’ve had my share of 30 years of sleep,” he humorously admitted, introducing us to Remi, “the little gem that has changed my life entirely for the better.”
The birth of Remi on September 25 has not just transformed Maclaren into a doting father but has also imbued him with a refreshed view of life. He seems unaffected by the repeated exclusions from the Socceroos squads, the recent one assembled in London for matches against England and New Zealand. His attention has shifted entirely towards fatherhood and his crucial role as Melbourne City’s leader.
Amid juggling these responsibilities, Maclaren remains confident about his on-pitch expertise. “I’ve already proven my ability to score goals,” he remarked, referencing the 144 goals he made in 205 A-League appearances and eight in 30 Socceroo fixtures. His present aim – “keep fit, keep the head down, and let things take their course.”
His new familial addition and the responsibility of leading his club as the new captain – a baton passed to him from the retired Scott Jamieson – are now entirely in his focus. He seems to revel in the added task of taking care of the players’ requirements on and off the pitch.
Maclaren resolved to concentrate on the upcoming 2023-24 season with City following the painful 6-1 defeat to Central Coast Mariners in A-league’s grand finale last year. Upbeat about the Melbourne City’s inaugural game of the A-League season against Western United, Maclaren is committed to leading the team and the 13-14 new recruits of the City Group, remaining optimistic about their potential success. “We are a club of high standards. The extraordinary talent infused into the squad promises an impressive team once everything falls into place,” he concluded with confidence.
