Matty Longstaff is enjoying a fresh start at Toronto FC, after going from the highest flight at boyhood club Newcastle to dealing with injuries, frustration and the business side of the attractive game.
If you were writing a script for a young Geordie, the dream can be to attain the winner against Manchester United on his Premier League debut in a packed St James’ Park stadium.
What’s more, teenager Longstaff did so while playing alongside his older brother and seemed poised to follow in Sean’s footsteps by establishing himself as a Newcastle regular.
The midfielder made 15 appearances within the 2019/20 season and scored a goal at Old Trafford, but ultimately not every part went to plan for the midfielder making a fresh start in Major League Soccer in Toronto.
“You probably don’t realize how special it is until you finally realize how hard it was to do it,” Longstaff told the PA news agency.
“When I came through, I didn’t have any falls. I broke through, I scored on my debut against Man United, I played this season, I felt I did well, of course I scored at Old Trafford.
“Everything seemed to be going on. You don’t really think about anything – you just play, play, play.
“Then certain things come up and suddenly you start stalling. It gets a little harder and then you realize it’s a business and not what you think. As bad as it sounds, at the end of the day it is a business.
“Of course I was there and then you’re gone and you have to accept that because ultimately players will come and go.
“When I break through at 19, you just think, ‘I’m going to play here and that’s going to be my career,’ but after about six or seven months you quickly realize it’s completely different and you never know what’s going to happen. . happen.”
Longstaff’s breakthrough attracted interest from Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, including a lucrative offer from Udinese, but he always “prayed” for a new contract where his “heart lay”.
The born midfielder eventually signed a new contract with the Magpies but only made five appearances for them, spending time on loan at Aberdeen, Mansfield and Colchester.
This latter spell ended with an anterior cruciate ligament injury on Boxing Day 2022, leading to a grueling rehabilitation program and uncertainty following the end of his contract with Newcastle last summer.
“I did all the rehab there,” said Longstaff, who is stuffed with praise for his former club. “I was really lucky.
“When my contract was up, (athletic director) Dan Ashworth called me in the off-season when my contract was up.
“Let’s be honest, as a player you never know what can happen with clubs and stuff, but they were absolutely great for me.
“Dan just called me and said, ‘Listen, Matty, we’re going to keep you here for the entire rehab process, it doesn’t matter how long it takes.’
“Dan and the manager (Eddie Howe) at Newcastle have been amazing to us.”
Longstaff says it “makes a huge difference to you when you know that people really care,” and that assistance even includes helping you progress to Canada.
The 24-year-old met Ashworth and Toronto manager John Herdman – from nearby Consett – at Newcastle’s training ground during his rehabilitation, which led to the start of the method and the signing of a two-year contract.
Longstaff is loving life up to now in Toronto – his brother Sean’s “favorite place” – and is stuffed with praise for the “incredible” club where he made his debut off the bench against Charlotte a month ago.
“I haven’t played a game in 15 months, so I miss that feeling,” he said. “The way the fans acted was unbelievable.
“It’s something I’ll remember and hopefully the longer I’m here I can give them a few more opportunities to cheer on.”
Since then, Longstaff has made 4 appearances for TFC and is excited to start a recent chapter as MLS begins its own and the 2026 World Cup is fast approaching.
“It shows how good the league is right now,” Longstaff said. “I can’t wait to play more.
“When you look at the players that come here and what goes on here, it was a bit of a no-brainer.”
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
