Alessandro Circati is the perfect modern-day defender: unflappable, clean, a leader and skilful on the ball.

But if he had his way, the Italian-born Socceroos and Parma star wouldn’t be attempting to shut down the opposition’s biggest stars at this World Cup - he’d be trying to score himself.

Perhaps Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has an intervention from Circati’s father Gianfranco - who played in the Serie A and Serie B before spending time at Perth Glory - to thank for a pivotal part of his back three.

“Dad was the one who pushed me to where I am,” Circati told AAP.

“He was one that had the chat to me, saying, ‘you’re not an offensive player, you’re more a defensive player’.

“It was more: ‘sit down, Ale, look at me and ... if you actually do want to be serious about what you’re doing and your future and if you do want to make a career, then I do suggest you play at the back’.

“It probably took me two or three days to settle, and then once I accepted it, I said ‘you know what, I’ll take it on board, let’s do it’.”

Circati, now aged 22, has only been on an upward trajectory since.

Perth Glory youth product Circati joined Parma as a 17-year-old, was mentored by the likes of Italian great Gianluigi Buffon and rose through the ranks.

Now, despite an ACL injury suffered in September 2024, Circati has become a Serie A starter, captained both the Socceroos and Parma, and helped Australia qualify for this World Cup.

“It’s a dream come true,” the defender says of his time in Italy.

“A lot of the boys want to play in the top leagues. It’s not easy to arrive there, it’s not easy to be able to play in the league. It’s a very tough league to play.

“At the moment, it’s a bit natural to me. I don’t know how to describe it, but from an external point of view, I’m sure it’s looked up at - for me, now it’s just the norm, and I just want to take forward steps from where I am now.”

Circati insists he’s not thinking about the big clubs that could come calling with an impressive World Cup showing, instead determined to help the Socceroos get out of their group.

He is focused on handling a tricky Turkish attack featuring Juventus star Kenan Yildiz - who he plays against at club level - and Real Madrid’s Arda Guler in the Socceroos’ World Cup opener at Vancouver’s BC Place on Saturday (Sunday, AEST).

“It’s probably some of the best quality, individual quality in world football,” Circati said.

“We just have to face the game like any other game, really.

“I’ve played against him (Yildiz), I’ve played against tougher opponents, I’ve played against weaker opponents but the preparation, the approach to the game is always the same.”