Awer Mabil
{{Short description|Australian soccer player (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Awer Mabil
| image = Awer Mabil.jpg
| caption = Mabil playing for Australia at 2019 AFC Asian Cup
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|9|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Kakuma, Kenya
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Castellón
| clubnumber = 19
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = St Augustines
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Playford City
| youthyears3 =
| youthclubs3 = Salisbury East Junior Soccer Club
| youthyears4 = 2010–2011
| youthclubs4 = SA NTC
| youthyears5 = 2012–2015
| youthclubs5 = Adelaide United
| years1 = 2012
| clubs1 = Campbelltown City
| caps1 = 14
| goals1 = 1
| clubs2 = Adelaide United
| caps2 = 47
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2015–2022
| clubs3 = Midtjylland
| caps3 = 108
| goals3 = 16
| years4 = 2016–2017
| clubs4 = → Esbjerg fB (loan)
| caps4 = 25
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2017–2018
| clubs5 = → Paços de Ferreira (loan)
| caps5 = 26
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2022
| clubs6 = → Kasımpaşa (loan)
| caps6 = 11
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2022–2023
| clubs7 = Cádiz
| caps7 = 5
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2023
| clubs8 = → Sparta Prague (loan)
| caps8 = 14
| goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2023–2025
| clubs9 = Grasshoppers
| caps9 = 28
| goals9 = 5
| years10 = 2025–
| clubs10 = Castellón
| caps10 = 5
| goals10 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2014–2015
| nationalteam1 = Australia U20
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 4
| nationalyears2 = 2015
| nationalteam2 = Australia U23
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2018–
| nationalteam3 = Australia
| nationalcaps3 = 35
| nationalgoals3 = 9
| club-update = 08:33, 29 March 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 10 September 2024
}}
Awer Bul Mabil (born 15 September 1995) is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Segunda División club CD Castellón.{{Soccerway|access-date=11 January 2019}} Born as a South Sudanese refugee in Kenya, he plays for the Australia national team.
Mabil played youth soccer at the South Australian National Training Centre and with Adelaide United. He made his senior debut for Campbelltown City, before making his debut in the A-League for Adelaide United in 2013.
He is co-founder of the humanitarian charity Barefoot to Boots, which aims to improve health, education, and gender equality among refugees, as well as equipping young refugees with sports equipment. In January 2023 he was named Young Australian of the Year.
Early life and education
Mabil was born on 15 September 1995{{cite web | title=Awer Mabil | website=worldfootball.net | url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/awer-mabil/ | access-date=15 June 2022}} to South Sudanese parents in Kakuma, located in northwestern Kenya. He lived with his family in the Kakuma Refugee Camp until the age of 10{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/awer-mabil-grew-up-playing-with-footballs-made-from-plastic-bags-now-hes-an-australian-hero/cs1yx971k |title=Awer Mabil used to make footballs from plastic bags. Now he's an Australian hero. |date=27 June 2022 |publisher=SBS News |access-date=8 November 2022}} when they moved to Australia and settled in Adelaide.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-15/awer-mabil-from-refugee-camp-to-world-cup-socceroo/101151676 |title=Awer Mabil's journey from refugee camp to the World Cup is the stuff that dreams are made of |date=15 June 2022 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=5 November 2022}} He first began playing football at the Kenyan refugee camp at around the age of five, stating: "We would just go outside and start kicking around. It was not structured and there was little else to do".{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/264/957/1/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621012136/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/264/957/1/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 June 2015 |title=Returning to the refugee camp |date=19 June 2015 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=21 June 2015}} They played with bare feet and used a rolled-up sock as a football.{{cite web | last=Keane | first=Daniel | title=Awer Mabil's journey from refugee camp to the World Cup is the stuff that dreams are made of | website=ABC News| publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=15 June 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-15/awer-mabil-from-refugee-camp-to-world-cup-socceroo/101151676 | access-date=15 June 2022}} During a 2022 World Cup qualifier, Mabil said "I was born in a hut, a little hut. My hotel room here is definitely bigger than the hut, the room we had as a family in that refugee camp".{{cite web | title=From a Kenyan refugee camp to the World Cup | website=BBC Sport | date=14 June 2022 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/61796251 | access-date=14 June 2022}}
Mabil attended St Columba College throughout his teenage years in Adelaide,{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/socceroo-awer-mabil-goes-back-to-school-at-st-columba-at-andrews-farm/news-story/49bb46648bc8ea8da68ead2006b35aa3 |title=Socceroo Awer Mabil goes back to school at St Columba at Andrews Farm |date=22 June 2022 |publisher=Adelaide Now |access-date=16 October 2022| url-access=subscription}} graduating in 2013.{{cite web | last=McNamara | first=Lindy | title=School honour for Socceroo | website=The Southern Cross | date=23 June 2022 | url=https://thesoutherncross.org.au/news/2022/06/23/school-honour-for-socceroo-star/ | access-date=2 December 2022}}
Club career
=Youth=
Mabil played in youth teams at St Augustines;{{cite web | title=About us | website=Saint Augustines Soccer Club | url=http://www.staugustinessoccerclub.com/about-us/ | access-date=15 June 2022}} Playford City;{{cite web | title=News - Reds provide opportunity exciting young duo | website=Adelaide United | date=9 January 2013 | url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/reds-provide-opportunity-exciting-young-duo | access-date=15 June 2022}} SA NTC (2010–2011); and Salisbury East Junior Soccer Club.{{cite web | title=Salisbury East Junior Soccer Club | website=SAcommunity | url=https://sacommunity.org/org/195033-Salisbury_East_Junior_Soccer_Club | access-date=16 June 2022}}
=Adelaide United=
Mabil made his senior debut at Campbelltown City (in the FFSA National Premier League) in 2012.{{cite web | title=Awer Mabil - Player Statistics|series= Campbelltown City, Seniors | website=GameDay | date=27 August 2021 | url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?pID=192359314 | access-date=16 June 2022}} Later that year he was signed by Adelaide United in the A-League, after he had displayed a number of performances showing his pace and dribbling skills to outwit many defenders in the FFSA National Premier League.{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/young-adelaide-united-gun-awer-mabil-up-for-attack/story-fnddhv0x-1226551403555|title=Young Adelaide United gun Awer Mabil up for attack|date=11 January 2013|publisher=The Advertiser (Adelaide)|access-date=11 January 2013| url-access=subscription}}
He made his Adelaide United senior debut on 11 January 2013 in a 2012–13 A-League match against Perth Glory. He scored his first goal in a 2–1 away loss to Wellington Phoenix in Round 17 of the 2013–14 A-League season, after coming on as a substitute in the second half.
=FC Midtjylland=
In July 2015, Mabil secured a move to Danish Superliga club, FC Midtjylland for a reported transfer fee in excess of AU$1,300,000{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/adelaide/awer-mabil-destined-to-become-aleagues-most-expensive-player-transfer/news-story/c14887841d170988f12b1d16c9b57622|title=Awer Mabil to join Danish champion side FC Midtjylland after United deal all but done|date=20 July 2015|publisher=The Advertiser|access-date=20 July 2015| url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/article/mabil-signs-with-danish-club/9pdbxk9swwwf1o9qhxy69fglv|title=Mabil signs with Danish Club|date=20 July 2015|publisher=Adelaide United FC|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305140205/http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/article/mabil-signs-with-danish-club/9pdbxk9swwwf1o9qhxy69fglv|url-status=dead}} Awer Mabil made his Danish Superliga debut for FC Midtjylland on 16 October 2015 against Randers FC at the MCH Arena in Herning as an 83rd-minute substitute for Daniel Royer. On 22 October 2015, Mabil made his UEFA Europa League debut at home to Napoli FC, coming on for Mikkel Duelund in the 73rd minute.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
He has said that when he went to FC Midtjylland he began to appreciate the seriousness of the game, and to develop a winning mentality. Initially he was not getting much game time, and the club sent him to two clubs on loan to help develop his skills and a winning mindset.{{cite web | title=How back-to-back relegations made Awer Mabil the player he is today | website=Socceroos | date=23 February 2022 | url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/how-relegation-portugal-made-awer-mabil-player-he-today | access-date=15 June 2022}}
==Loan to Esbjerg fB==
In August 2016, Mabil was loaned to Esbjerg fB to allow him to get more game time and develop.{{cite web|url=http://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/esbjerg-lejer-kantspiller-i-fcm/|title=Esbjerg lejer kantspiller i FCM|language=da|publisher=bold.dk|date=3 August 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.insidesport.com.au/fourfourtwo/news/mabil-completes-esbjerg-move-432757|title=Mabil seals Esbjerg move|first=Ben|last=Somerford|newspaper=Inside Sport|date=5 August 2016}} Mabil made his debut on 8 August 2016, starting the match against AGF but was sent off in the 44th minute.{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2016/08/09/amini-scores-while-mabil-sent-aussies-clash-denmark|title=Amini scores while Mabil is sent-off as Aussies clash in Denmark|first=Nick|last=Stoll|publisher=SBS|work=The World Game|date=9 August 2016}} Esbjerg was relegated to the Danish 1st Division, and Esbjerg announced that Mabil was one of nine players who would be leaving the club.[http://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/ni-spillere-paa-vej-ud-i-esbjerg/ Ni spillere på vej ud i Esbjerg], bold.dk, 30 May 2017
==Loan to Paços de Ferreira==
In July 2017, Mabil was loaned to Paços de Ferreira to allow him further first-team opportunities.{{cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/mabil-joins-portuguese-club-467774|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920045442/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/mabil-joins-portuguese-club-467774|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2017|title=Mabil joins Portuguese club|first=Ben|last=Somerford|newspaper=FourFourTwo|date=6 July 2017}} Paços de Ferreira were relegated at the end of the 2017–18 Primeira Liga season; however, Mabil impressed while on loan, scoring twice and providing a further three assists in 26 league appearances.{{cite news|url=https://fbref.com/en/squads/f6af6f6f/2017-2018/Pacos-de-Ferreira|title=2017–2018 Paços de Ferreira Stats|date=13 June 2018}} He still follows the club.
==Return to Midtjylland==
Mabil returned to Denmark in 2018 a more mature player, and had a strong start, scoring a goal and registering two assists in his first six appearances of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/progress-report-awer-mabil|title=Progress Report: Awer Mabil|first=Jacob|last=Windon|newspaper=Socceroos|date=20 September 2018}} On 11 November 2018, Mabil scored two and set a further two up in Midtjyllands 5–0 win over Vejle, taking his season tally to four goals and eight assists.{{cite news| url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussies-abroad-mabil-masterclass-leads-five-star-midtjylland-to-victory|title=Aussies Abroad: Mabil masterclass leads five-star Midtjylland to victory|newspaper=Socceroos|date=12 November 2018}} He worked his way into the first team squad.
On 30 September 2020, he assisted Sory Kaba's headed goal with a cross in a 4–1 home win over Slavia Prague in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League play-off round that qualified Midtjylland for their first UEFA Champions League.{{cite news |last1=Rosengarten |first1=Jake |title=Awer Mabil's beautiful reaction to qualifying for Champions League |url=https://sport.optus.com.au/articles/os13415/champions-league-midtjylland-mabil-reaction |work=sport.optus.com.au |date=1 October 2020}} He scored his first Champions League goal on 25 November that year against Ajax from the penalty spot in a 3–1 defeat.{{cite news |title=Mabil scores maiden Champions League goal, Liverpool lose, City advance |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/foden-sends-city-to-last-16-with-champions-league-win-over-olympiakos-20201126-p56i24.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 November 2020 |language=en}}
==Loan to Kasımpaşa==
In February 2022, after being sidelined at Midtjylland owing to his unwillingness to sign a further contract after seven years in Denmark, Mabil was loaned to Kasımpaşa in Turkey until the end of the season.{{cite web | last=Lewis | first=Dave | title=Exclusive: Socceroos star seals top-flight Spanish deal | website=FTBL | date=20 February 2022 | url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/exclusive-socceroos-star-seals-top-flight-spanish-deal-576283 | access-date=15 June 2022}}
=Cádiz=
In May 2022, it was confirmed that Mabil had signed to Spanish La Liga club Cádiz for four seasons.{{cite web | title=Cádiz has closed its first signing: Awer Mabil | website=Sportz | date=24 May 2022 | url=https://sportzshala.com/cadiz-has-closed-its-first-signing-awer-mabil/ | access-date=15 June 2022 | archive-date=15 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615221208/https://sportzshala.com/cadiz-has-closed-its-first-signing-awer-mabil/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | title=Cádiz confirms Awer Mabil as its first signing | website=Spain La Liga News | date=24 May 2022 | url=https://spainlaliganews.com/cadiz-confirms-awer-mabil-as-its-first-signing/ | access-date=15 June 2022 | archive-date=30 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130170328/https://spainlaliganews.com/cadiz-confirms-awer-mabil-as-its-first-signing/ | url-status=dead }} However in his first half season for the Andalusian club he only made six appearances, averaging merely 40 minutes of playing time per game.
==Loan to Sparta Prague==
In January 2023, Mabil was loaned to Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic.{{cite web |first=Petr|last=Blejštil|title=Sparta hlásí čtvrtou posilu. Přivedla účastníka MS v Kataru| website=sport.cz | date=4 January 2023 | url=https://www.sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-ceska-1-liga-sparta-hlasi-ctvrtou-posilu-privedla-ucastnika-ms-v-kataru-3879936| access-date=4 January 2023|language=cs}} He made a total of 14 appearances for Sparta, scoring two goals and assisting for three, contributing to Sparta becoming Czech champions.{{Cite news|agency=Czech News Agency|date=23 May 2023|accessdate=23 May 2023|title=Sparta v euforii! Remíza na Slovácku odstartovala mistrovské oslavy|url=https://www.sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-ceska-1-liga-sparta-v-euforii-remiza-na-slovacku-odstartovala-mistrovske-oslavy-4229432 |website=Sport.cz|language=cs}}
=Grasshoppers=
On 21 August 2023, Mabil joined Swiss record champions Grasshopper Club Zürich on a two-year contract with an option to extend for a further year.{{cite web|publisher=Grasshopper Club Zürich|url=https://www.gcz.ch/en/news/article/17/grasshopper-club-zuerich-signs-awer-mabil/|title=Grasshopper Club Zürich signs Awer Mabil|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}} He made his debut for the club on 2 September, replacing Dorian Babunski at half-time in a 2–1 away loss to Stade Lausanne Ouchy.{{cite web |title=Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy vs. Grasshoppers: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/02/switzerland/super-league/fc-stade-lausanne-ouchy/grasshopper-club-zurich/4086197/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918013728/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/02/switzerland/super-league/fc-stade-lausanne-ouchy/grasshopper-club-zurich/4086197/ |archive-date=18 September 2023}} On 7 October 2023, he made his first start for the club, scoring the first two goals and assisting for the third in a 3–0 away win against Yverdon-Sport.{{Cite web |publisher=Bluewin |title= GC gelingt in Yverdon der Befreiungsschlag |url=https://sfl.ch/de/match-center/7ku5cgvkmjf0jsz0evjxrc8pg|date=7 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023|website=www.bluewin.ch |language=de}} He was named the Man of the Match for the performance.{{Cite web |publisher=Swiss Football League|title=Match Report|url=https://www.bluewin.ch/de/sport/super-league/fcz-gewinnt-derby-gc-faengt-sich-in-yverdon-1917037.html|date=7 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023|website=www.sflT.ch |language=de}} On 9 December 2023, during an away game against FC Basel he pulled his hamstring, requiring surgery and sidelining him for nearly four months.{{cite web|title=Restart in Bern|url=https://www.gcz.ch/en/news/article/1/restart-in-bern/|access-date=19 January 2024|website=gcz.ch|date=19 January 2024}} As a result, he managed just 21 appearances in his first season in Switzerland, but still provided eight goal contributions (four goals and four assists).
On 18 August 2024, he contributed to eight of the nine goals in a 9–0 win over FC Regensdorf in the 2024–25 Swiss Cup, scoring a hattrick and assisting for five goals.{{cite web|url=https://www.schweizercup.ch/schweizer-cup/News/schweizer-cup-fcz-mit-muehe-titelverteidiger-servette-problemlos-weiter-271220.aspx|title=Schweizer Cup: FCZ mit Mühe, Titelverteidiger Servette problemlos weiter|language=de-ch|date=18 August 2024|access-date=18 August 2024|publisher=SFV}} He scored the team's only goal in a 2–1 defeat in the Zurich Derby on 19 October 2024. On 26 October 2024, an error by Mabil led to the Grasshoppers conceding in just the second minute of their league game away against FC Lausanne-Sport. The team went on to lose the game 3–0. This would be his final game for the Grasshoppers, as his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 7 January 2025.{{cite web|publisher=Grasshopper Club Zurich|url=https://www.gcz.ch/en/news/article/1/gc-zurich-bids-farewell-to-four-players/|title=GC Zurich bids farewell to four players|date=7 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025}}
=CD Castellón=
On 5 February 2025, Mabil returned to Spain, signing a contract with Segunda División club CD Castellón until 30 June 2026.{{Cite web |last=Guidotti |first=Marc |date=2025-02-04 |title=Awer Mabil, nuevo jugador del CD Castellón {{!}} CD Castellón {{!}} Web Oficial |url=https://www.cdcastellon.com/awer-mabil-nuevo-jugador-del-cd-castellon/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |title=El Castellón logra más desborde con Awer Mabil |url=https://castellonaldia.elmundo.es/deportes/cd-castellon/el-cd-castellon-logra-mas-desborde-con-awer-mabil-futbol-segunda-division-HO22864636 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=castellonaldia.elmundo.es |language=es-ES}}
International career
In August 2013, Mabil was called up by Australia for COTIF Tournament in L'Alcúdia, Spain.{{cite web|url=http://www.youngsocceroos.footballaustralia.com.au/article/young-socceroos-announced-for-cotif-tournament/1maohau4d536c1i0sxibb2dzrp#QlKvuUr9Rqd8fMFd.99|title=Young Socceroos announced for COTIF tournament|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=5 August 2013}} The tournament was used by the FIFA to prepare players for their successful 2014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification campaign.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
A citizen of South Sudan by birth, he was cleared by FIFA to play for Australia in March 2014 after a year-long process to obtain a birth certificate and gain exemption from FIFA eligibility rules due to his refugee status.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/fifa-grants-adelaide-uniteds-awer-mabil-international-status/news-story/9eca3e491c3ae427f62a92bcad3033f0 |title=FIFA gives Mabil the green light |last=Migliaccio |first=Val |date=13 March 2014 |work=The Australian |access-date=24 January 2019|url-access=limited}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11501453 |title=Football: Oz up with eligibility play |last=Burgess |first=Michael |date=22 August 2015 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=24 January 2019 |language=en-NZ |issn=1170-0777}}
He featured for Australia in the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship, playing in all three of their games, the opponents were Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=8341&stageid=332&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary|title=Australia vs. United Arab Emirates|publisher=the-afc.com|date=10 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=8342&stageid=332&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary|title=Indonesia vs. Australia|publisher=the-afc.com|date=12 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=8344&stageid=332&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary|title=Uzbekistan vs. Australia|publisher=the-afc.com|date=14 October 2014}}
After showing impressive form with FC Midtjylland, Mabil was called up to the senior team for the first time. Participating in the Socceroos first training camp under new coach Graham Arnold.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/graham-arnold-has-named-his-first-socceroos-squad-since-taking-over-as-head-coach/news-story/f9f1e7074b51e66943af0d9c174b32e2|title=Graham Arnold has named his first Socceroos squad since taking over as head coach|publisher=foxsports.com.au|date=30 August 2018}}
On 16 October 2018, Mabil made his debut for the Australia senior national team against Kuwait in an international friendly match at the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium. He came on as a second-half substitution for Mathew Leckie and scored his maiden goal for the senior national team in the 88th minute to give Australia their fourth and final goal in a 4–0 win over Kuwait in Graham Arnold's first match of his second stint with the Australian national team.{{cite web | url = https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/match/2922321/kuwait-vs-australia | title = Kuwait vs Australia | publisher=The World Game | date=16 October 2018 | access-date = 16 October 2018 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-16/socceroos-beat-kuwait-graham-arnold-first-game/10378622 | title = Socceroos comfortably defeat Kuwait in Graham Arnold's first game in charge | work=ABC News | date=16 October 2018 | access-date = 16 October 2018 }} Mabil's goal was assisted by Tomi Juric and Thomas Deng.{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/15/graham-arnold-socceroos-thrash-kuwait-friendly-australia-first-match | title = Graham Arnold off to a flyer as Socceroos thrash Kuwait in friendly | work=The Guardian| first=John | last=Davidson | date=16 October 2018 | access-date = 16 October 2018 }} Mabil celebrated the goal with childhood friend and fellow South Sudanese refugee Deng, who was also making his international debut for Australia.{{cite web | url = https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/soccer/sudanese-refugees-share-special-socceroo-debuts-20181016-p509v8.html | title = Sudanese refugees share special Socceroo debuts | publisher=The Canberra Times | first=Dominic | last=Bossi | date=16 October 2018 | access-date = 16 October 2018 }} Awer dedicated the goal, post-match, to his mother.{{cite web | url = https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/mabils-moment-nine-years-in-the-making-514004 | title = Mabil's moment nine years in the making | publisher= www.ftbl.com.au | date=16 October 2018 | access-date = 16 October 2018 }}
Mabil played in qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup. In the final "must-win" game against Peru, he scored one of the penalties that secured a place in the competition for the Socceroos. He said that scoring the crucial goal was "the only way to say thank you to Australia on behalf of my family".{{cite web | title='Thank you Australia': Socceroo Awer Mabil dedicates sudden-death goal to the nation | website=SBS News | date=13 June 2022 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/thank-you-australia-socceroo-awer-mabil-dedicates-sudden-death-goal-to-the-nation/gk39t3cz7 | access-date=15 June 2022}}
On 22 September 2022, Mabil scored his first home international goal against New Zealand in a 1–0 win in a friendly at Lang Park.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
Other activities
=Barefoot to Boots=
Mabil helped to establish the humanitarian charity Barefoot to Boots with his elder brother Awer G. Bul, and Ian Smith{{cite web | title=Board| website=Barefoot to Boots | url=http://barefoottoboots.org/new-page-1 | access-date=15 June 2022}} to ensure better "health, education, and gender equality" outcomes for refugees. Mabil returned to Kakuma with the organisation, with the aim of promoting football as well as helping refugees in other ways.
Recognition and honours
In 2018, Mabil was awarded the FIFPRO Merit Award, presented by the International Federation of Professional Footballers at a ceremony in Rome. The award is worth US$25,000, to be donated to his charity to continue his work.{{cite web | last=Hytner | first=Mike | title=Barefoot to Boots: Socceroo Awer Mabil recognised for refugee work | website=The Guardian | date=30 November 2018 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/30/barefoot-to-boots-socceroo-awer-mabil-recognised-for-refugee-work | access-date=2 December 2022}}
In June 2022, on a visit to his old school, St Columba College, Mabil was presented with the 2022 Alumni of the Year Award, in recognition of his high level of achievement in football as well as his service to the community with his Barefoot to Boots charity.
In November 2022, Mabil was announced as recipient of the 2023 Young Australian of the Year award for his home state of South Australia.{{cite web | title=Awer Mabil | website=Australian of the Year | url=https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/awer-mabil | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103023347/https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/awer-mabil | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 November 2022 | access-date=2 December 2022}}{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Rebecca | title=Winners of 2023 SA Australian of the Year Awards announced | website=Glam Adelaide | date=11 November 2022 | url=https://glamadelaide.com.au/winners-of-2023-sa-australian-of-the-year-awards-announced/ | access-date=2 December 2022}} On 25 January 2023, he was named the national Young Australian of the Year.{{cite web | last=Mannheim | first=Markus | title=Body-image campaigner Taryn Brumfitt, who directed Embrace, named 2023 Australian of the Year | website=ABC News | date=25 January 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-25/2023-australian-of-the-year-awards-winners/101892294 | access-date=25 January 2023}}
Personal life
His elder brother is Awer G. Bul, who is director of Barefoot to Boots, which he co-founded.
Mabil's 19-year-old sister Bor was killed in a car crash in Adelaide in 2018.
He went to school with good friend, fellow-refugee and Socceroo Thomas Deng.{{cite web | title=Thomas Deng | website=Perth African Nations Sports Association | date=19 September 2020 | url=https://www.pansa.org.au/thomas-deng/ | access-date=15 June 2022}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|7 January 2025|{{cite web |title=Awer Mabil » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/awer-mabil/2/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=12 November 2022}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes Australian FFA Cup, Danish Sydbank Pokalen, Portuguese Taça de Portugal, Turkish Cup, and Czech Cup.}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Adelaide United
|5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 2013–14
|A-League |20 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=af|Appearances in finals series}} | 0 | 21 | 2 | |||
| 2014–15
|A-League |19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=af}} | 1 | 24 | 7 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!44 | 7 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 50 | 9 | ||
| rowspan="6"|FC Midtjylland
|6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|Superliga |30 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|Includes four appearances in the Europa League third qualification and play-off rounds and one appearance in the Champions League second qualification round}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 6 | ||
| 2019–20
|Superliga |34 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in the Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 8 | ||
| 2020–21
|Superliga |21 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in the Champions League}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 3 | ||
| 2021–22
|Superliga |3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!94 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 121 | 19 | ||
| Esbjerg fB (loan)
|Superliga |25 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=CPO|Appearances in Superliga relegation play-offs}} | 0 | 29 | 4 | ||
| Paços de Ferreira (loan)
|26 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in the Portuguese Taça da Liga}} | 1 | 29 | 3 | |||
| Kasımpaşa (loan)
|11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 2 | |||
| Cádiz
|5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | |||
| Sparta Prague (loan)
|14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 2 | |||
| rowspan=3|Grasshoppers
|rowspan=2|Super League |19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in the relegation play-off}} | 0 | 22 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25
|9 | 1 | 1 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 4 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!28 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 8 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!224 | 35 | 11 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 272 | 41 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|24 March 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|Australia
|2018 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 32 | 9 |
{{updated|match played 21 September 2022}}
:Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mabil goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Awer Mabil | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center"|1
|16 October 2018 | Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait | style="text-align:center"|1 | {{fb|KUW}} | style="text-align:center"|4–0 | style="text-align:center"|4–0 | Friendly |
| style="text-align:center"|2
|30 December 2018 | Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | style="text-align:center"|4 | {{fb|OMN}} | style="text-align:center"|3–0 | align=center | 5–0 | Friendly |
| style="text-align:center"|3
| 11 January 2019 | Rashid Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | style="text-align:center"|6 | {{fb|PLE}} | style="text-align:center"|2–0 | style="text-align:center"|3–0 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup |
| style="text-align:center"|4
| 15 January 2019 | Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates | style="text-align:center"|7 | {{fb|SYR|1980}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|3–2 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup |
| style="text-align:center"|5
| 2 September 2021 | Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar | style="text-align:center"|17 | {{fb|CHN}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|3–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|6
| 7 October 2021 | Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar | style="text-align:center"|19 | {{fb|OMA}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|3–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|7
| 1 June 2022 | Al Janoub Stadium, Al-Wakrah, Qatar | style="text-align:center"|26 | {{fb|JOR}} | style="text-align:center"|2–1 | style="text-align:center"|2–1 | Friendly |
| style="text-align:center"|8
| 22 September 2022 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia | style="text-align:center"|29 | {{fb|NZL}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center | 1–0 | Friendly |
| style="text-align:center"|9
| 24 March 2023 | Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | style="text-align:center"|32 | {{fb|ECU}} | align=center | 2–1 | align=center | 3–1 | Friendly |
Honours
Adelaide United
Midtjylland
Sparta Prague
Individual
- National Youth League Player of the Year: 2012–13{{cite web|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/a-league/rojas-makes-ffa-awards-history-20130415-2hw4q.html|title=Rojas makes FFA awards history|work=WAToday.com.au|date=15 April 2013 }}
- FFA U20 Male Player of the Year: 2014
- Young Australian of the Year: 2023{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-26/awer-mabil-young-australian-of-the-year-moment-of-kindness/101894742|title=The moment of kindness that set Socceroo Awer Mabil on his path to 2023 Young Australian of the Year|first=Samantha|last=Lewis|website=ABC News)|date=26 January 2023|access-date=1 February 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{WorldFootball}}
{{CD Castellón squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Australia squads
| bg = #FCD116
| fg = #008751
| bordercolor = #008751
| list1 =
{{Australia squad 2019 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Young Australians of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mabil, Awer}}
Category:People from Rift Valley Province
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australia men's youth international soccer players
Category:Australian people of South Sudanese descent
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:FFSA Super League players
Category:Danish Superliga players
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Swiss Super League players
Category:Adelaide United FC players
Category:FC Midtjylland players
Category:F.C. Paços de Ferreira players
Category:Kasımpaşa S.K. footballers
Category:AC Sparta Prague players
Category:Grasshopper Club Zurich players
Category:CD Castellón footballers
Category:South Sudanese emigrants to Australia
Category:Naturalised soccer players of Australia
Category:2019 AFC Asian Cup players
Category:Australia men's international soccer players
Category:South Sudanese refugees
Category:Sportspeople of South Sudanese descent
Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players
Category:Soccer players from Adelaide
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in the Czech Republic