Today we sit down and chat with the Socceroos legend and all around nice guy Tim Cahill and talk life, comfort and fashion
You’ve made many moves in your career, which must have been a challenge with your family. How have you and your family taken your latest change to Shanghai?
I’m really lucky to have a hugely supportive family who have always backed my moves. My wife and kids have been amazing in adapting to life in London, Manchester, New York and now Shanghai and without them behind me, there is no way that I would be able to perform on the pitch. I’m happy and enjoying life in Shanghai at the moment. To be able to embrace a new culture that’s so different to anywhere else I have played has been amazing and I love the city.
You’ve been involved in the greatest achievements in Australian Football, what stands out to you as your favourite moment?
I still find it hard to look past our first World Cup win against Japan. For me personally, coming off the bench to score the first goal by an Australian at the World Cup was everything that you dream of as a young kid and then to go ahead and win the match was something I will never forget.
Who would you say has been your biggest mentor throughout your career and what was their best advice?
The one person that has always been my greatest inspiration is my mother. As a kid growing up, seeing her working 12 hour days to support our family was definitely one of my greatest motivations to work hard.
Do you have any good fashion advice from the Cahill + Shoreditch collection? I’m always on the go between training, flights, travelling, events and meetings so my fashion advice is that you have to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. Working with Shoreditch means I always have a well cut suit, while my Cahill+ range allows me to be comfortable but look smart as well.
Where did your inspiration come from to get involved in a fashion?
My inspiration to get involved in fashion originally came from Giorgio Armani. I was privileged to be dressed by Armani for nearly 8 years and was able to meet him and attend some of his shows. That really opened my eyes to the fashion world.
So is your collaboration with Shoreditch London a step towards life after playing?
I’ve got a number of projects that I’m working on now which will continue after my playing days are done so I don’t really see it as a step towards life after football, just something that I will be able to be more hands on with at that point.
I’ve heard you’ve got a vintage video game collection, is there anything in particular you enjoy playing with your kids?
I found a console in Shanghai that plays all of the classic games from when I was growing up from Sega, Atari and Super Nintendo which is so much fun. My kids and I are FIFA addicts though. We’re all super competitive and the matches can get very heated!
