OAKLAND, CA — Lucas Herrington is seemingly unflappable.

An A-League debut as a teen, being heralded by your coach at Brisbane Roar as the best defender in Australian football before he’d kicked a ball. A move to the MLS, marking Lionel Messi, playing alongside a former Premier League defender (Arsenal’s Rob Holding) and playing in front of the club’s record breaking crowd. A Socceroos debut. A World Cup call-up.

Well, maybe we found one thing. Almost.

As we chatted to the baby faced defender at the Socceroos’ team hotel, Nestory Irankunda did the best to try and railroad the interview. The 20-year-old just stood, casually, arms folded, nodding along, chuckling, as Herrington and I tried to chat. This grizzled veteran was probably less composed than the defender. And following his lead, we played on.

Nothing fazes Lucas Herrington. And if he is thrust onto the World Cup stage at 18 years of age, he will need all of those qualities. The stakes aren’t just massive for this tournament; a commanding display will only accelerate the seriousness of conversations reportedly being flirted around with Barcelona.

“It’s been a lot, but I’ve got a great support network around me, just telling me to stay humble, keep my feet on the ground and just enjoy every moment really,” he explained to us.

“It’s not every day that this opportunity comes, so I just can’t wait for it all to start and I can’t wait for the World Cup.”

For a player so young, he has the most eye catching composure on the ball. Where did that come from?

“I was always big, so I was always chucked back there,” he said.

“I think I’ve always loved playing with the ball. I’ve always had a ball at my feet so I think it has just come naturally. I just love playing with it. I’d rather play with it than not have it. So I just try be calm on the ball, just find the right passes and play my game.”

Things have really kicked off since his move to Colorado Rapids, where is regularly in teams of the week, and has dazzled with his composure and passing accuracy out of defence.

“I’m loving it. I’ve only been there six months now, but it’s been great. I love my football..

Lucas Herrington warms up ahead of his Socceroos debut. Photo: Ann Odong

“I’ve got some top players next to me, Rob Holding’s played at the top level, Zack Steffen behind me as well helps a lot, but, also the coaching staff; my coach Matt Wells has given me the opportunity to play, which I’ve been grateful for and I’ve just loved every minute over there really.”

If there were doubts over Herrington’s ability to cope with the furnace that will be the World Cup, one need just look at the experiences he already has.

Just prior to playing in front of 78,000 at the Rose Bowl against Mexico, he faced Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in front of a similar attendance, the biggest in the club’s history.

Lionel Messi v Lucas Herrington. Photo: Getty Images

“Unreal,” he said. “It was a massive game. Unfortunate result, but, I think we played a great game and it was just obviously Messi doing Messi stuff, which was tough to swallow.”

More lessons there, too, in the fine margins at play when you’re playing against the best.

“The little things,” he explained. “Him on the ball, he’s just so tidy, you can’t give him space, so you can’t respect him too much, and just closing down on his left foot as much possible.”

The trajectory has been meteoric but doing it at Colorado was not by accident.

Lucas Herrington in action on debut against Cameroon. Photo: Ann Odong

“It is a club that also promotes their young players,” he said.

“We have a really young squad that’s really hardworking, we work for each other, we want to win, we want to improve. So to be a part of that environment is great.”

It is bewildering to think that his last A-League game was only on January 3rd. Now, with the biggest stage looming, he’ll have his family in the stands ready to soak in the rise.

“They’ve done everything for me, and I wouldn’t be able to get around to training until I got my license, they had to drive me early mornings, late nights, when they were tired, when they didn’t necessarily want to do it.

“They were always there for me, always supporting. My brother’s been massive as well, obviously he plays as well, so we can relate a lot to each other. He gives me great advice, always there for each other. They’ve all been great and helped me get to this journey and without them I definitely wouldn’t be here. So I’m always so grateful for them just for the support and love they give me and I can’t wait to share the moment with them.”