Durante in love again

Andrew Durante lost his love of football.

The Wellington Phoenix skipper took the team’s terrible 2015-16 season to heart, struggling to deal with a campaign which was arguably the clubs worst in their history.

On a points per game ratio, the Phoenix had never been worse in the A League, claiming only 25 competition points in 27 games to finish ninth of 10 teams.

Those sort of statistics didn’t escape Durante, and he needed to get his head away from the sport.

But refreshed and eager to get onto the field, Durante’s turnaround has even seen his desire to play internationally return, and a place in the All Whites squad followed.

‘‘The Phoenix season was a really difficult one, probably the poorest on record,’’ Durante said.

‘‘I really struggled with it mentally. I wasn’t in the right place to commit to international football. I needed that offseason to get my mind right.

‘‘I’d kind fell out of love with the game, it was really affecting me.’’ All’s well now. Durante holidayed with family, taking his mind as far from the football field as he could.

By the time he returned to training, wearing in a new pair of football boots, he had an extra spring in his step.

Not only that, but he wasn’t content to just wear the yellow and black of the Phoenix. He was ready for his All Whites return.