A technical winger with flair that could mirror a South American talent, Marcus Younis is a rising youngster among Western Sydney Wanderers. The 18-year-old has been on Mark Rudan’s match squad in the recent A-League matches of the 2023–24 season.
It has been a tough journey, one for which he credited the help of his family that led Younis to break into the first-team squad. The saying, “Talent gets you far, hard work gets you further,” can almost be an impersonation of the North Rocks junior’s career, who clearly has much to show for in the future.
Marcus Younis was born in Western Sydney and played for his hometown club at the age of 12, initially starting in the under-13s and under-14s squads of the Wanderers. The following years saw him develop as a regular within the squads, eventually playing in the under-15s in 2019.
Marcus Younis (L) celebrates a goal with Lachlan Brooke. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
A series of injuries progressing from mid-2019 led to Younis being ruled out for over two years on the sidelines and an extensive amount of time spent on rehabilitation. Although this time spent would go into the mental side of Younis, which he believes played a significant part in his football.
“I’ve come to the realisation of how important the mental side of football is, it’s 70% of the game,” said Younis to Western Sydney Wanderers. “I feel like those setbacks – and there have been a lot of setbacks in the last year and a half – can make you stronger depending on how you are resilient towards them.”
After taking the time for books on football psychology and building the right mental mindset, Younis quickly excelled on his full return during the 2022 season. He played his first season injury-free after nearly three years, accumulating 41 appearances with seven goals for the Wanderers across the under-18s and under-20s squad.
His form earned him his senior debut for the National Premier Leagues (NPL) first grade squad that same year and eventually registered in the Wanderers’ campaign in the 2023 NPL NSW season, following their promotion where they won the grand final against St George City.
Younis would have a better season than the previous, racking up five goals in 27 league appearances in first grade football. His creativity and technical abilities can be summed up from one goal against Central Coast Mariners in the opening matchday of the league, beating a defender with a rainbow flick and a precise finish into the bottom corner to make it 3–0.
Western Sydney Wanderers players celebrate with the crowd. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
His confidence ultimately made him stand out during the season despite his side coming 13th on the table. Younis has shown to be pivotal for the Wanderers in the attack, being the main man in attacking chances and an end product when the chances come for him.
Nearing the end of 2023, Younis has been backed consistently by first-team coach Mark Rudan. After making his A-League bow against Melbourne City in January 2023, he has since made four appearances off the bench for Western Sydney Wanderers and is currently on a scholarship contract.
Even after suffering from injury during pre-season, resulting in him being ruled out from the Young Socceroos squad ahead of their tour of Spain, his resilient, hard work to full fitness is shown through his cameos, assisting Marcus Antonsson in a 2–2 away draw to Brisbane Roar and again against Victory, although it was later ruled for offside.
A future A-League star and possible Socceroo, Younis is not the only one in his family on the way to stardom. His younger sister, Talia, also plays for Wanderers and is an uprising and inspiring figure for all women and girls after becoming the youngest debutant in A-League history – four days before her 15th birthday, overtaking Sam Kerr’s long-standing record with Perth Glory.
Their development can be credited to their father Raymond, and uncle Robert, who were both prominent footballers in the National Soccer League. Raymond can also be considered a mentor to his two children, drawing from his experiences as a fitness coach and former footballer to help them thrive physically, mentally and technically.
Younis is eligible for both Australia and Lebanon although the winger has represented Australia in tours hosted in Europe. It can also be said that he is not the only Australian-Lebanese footballer to find success.
Baulkham Hills-born Jackson Khoury was recently awarded Young Player of the Year with his side Tormenta FC in the United States and has recently been in contact with the Lebanese Football Federation for a potential call-up after a few national training camps.
It is a great pride for the Younis family to have two of their kids breaking into the A-League and clearly display so much talent for their sides. For both Talia and Marcus Younis, the pathway to success is paved for them, but only time will tell under the guidance of their father if they will stay on that path – making Younis one to watch for in the future.
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