"Del Piero was here for how long? I think that could've been maximised more for legacy. Commercially [Del Piero's presence] was fantastic, but it has to be more. I'm Australian. I know I can affect the game in a big way, but not to come back and the main element is where all they talk about is money.

"I've never, ever worried about money and football because my ability will always be proven to earn money. When they get a vision like they do elsewhere – with a project and something that has impact – then we'll see [about playing in the A League]."

While Cahill turned 35 last week, he is regarded as one of Australia's most marketable, and most loved, athletes.

While he has always been passionate about promoting the game and Australia's players, he resisted calls to play a guest stint for an A-League team before next month's Asian Cup, because he did not think it was fair to the game.

"People say, 'Come back for a guest stint, but for what?' A bit of hype? To be the billboard boy for two games? [The demand] is very humbling – it is a compliment – but it's not fair on the game."