From Canberra cub to Melbourne Man: The rise and rise of Carl Valeri

"Even back then I was the hardest-working player on the pitch," Valeri said before what could be his last game on Friday night.

That's the attitude he's had for the past 24 years of A-League titles, World Cups, Socceroos games and almost a decade playing in Italy.

It's also why he's refusing to get sentimental before the Melbourne Victory's elimination final against the Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.

The Victory skipper will retire at the end of this season and he's hoping for a fairytale run to another A-League grand final.

But the 34-year-old says he will be "worthless" to his teammates if he starts thinking about the end.

So Valeri will run on to the field in Melbourne with the same goal he's had since he was a child: to be the hardest worker in the game.

"The way that I'm hardwired at the moment I can't think about anything else," Valeri said.

"I'm just not able to because I am a team player and I am focused on the job at hand. I struggle to think past the next game. I need to be there 100 per cent otherwise I'm worthless.

"There will be plenty of time in the off-season to have a laugh or cry or do whatever I need to do. For now it's about getting to that grand final."

Valeri's journey has had a bit of everything. He started with Tuggeranong United and has fond memories of the Kanga Cup in Canberra.

"Even then I dreamed of becoming a Socceroo, I dreamed of playing international football," Valeri said.

"Ultimately the memories of Canberra are cold, I remember that it was actually quite difficult [to play in those conditions].

"I played for Tuggeranong for a long time where I was coached by volunteer fathers, who were fantastic."

He was plucked out of the AIS as a teenager by Italian giants Inter Milan, which led to him linking with Grosseto.

He helped Sassuolo earn promotion to Serie A and played for an all-star Socceroos side at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

"I went over [to Italy] as a young boy and became a man," Valeri said. "I was 17-years-old and the experience was life changing because I had to grow up, and grow up fast. I remember getting there and feeling like I was starting from scratch. I had to learn all over again.

"Looking back I'm really proud of the way that I handled myself in every situation that was thrown at me. I don't know how I managed to do it but I guess my love of football was the reason why I was there and it really drove me through those difficult times."

Valeri played 52 games for the Socceroos and has helped the Victory win two A-League titles since returning to Australia in 2014.

But he's also had to deal with injuries, most notably an inflammatory brain condition four years ago, which forced him to miss four months.

The World Cup opportunity was the peak of his career, teaming up with Harry Kewell, Lucas Neil, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer.

"To play in a World Cup was a dream come true, it felt surreal to be honest," Valeri said.

"At the time you don't think about it because as a footballer you are so well drilled and focused that everything kind of fades away into the background.

"I don't think I soaked it up as much as I should have but I'm glad I didn't because it pays a compliment to my professionalism as a player.

"At the time I didn't see it as a reward, I just loved playing for my country. I felt privileged and honoured and I was hungry for more."

Valeri decided it was time to retire because he wanted to spend more time with his young family.

But before he walks away, he's on a mission to help the Victory become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Brisbane seven years ago.

Melbourne starts the final series in winning form after beating the Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend, but the Phoenix has lost only one of their last five games against the Victory at AAMI Park.

All three clashes between the teams this season have finished as draws.

"We've played some fantastic games against Wellington this season and they've all ended up in draws. That shows that they are a tough opposition," Valeri said.

"Our main focus is just on Wellington and what we can do to prepare ourselves in our last day of training and ultimately our mentality approaching the game.

"I'm looking forward to hearing the noise, being there and soaking it up and working as hard as I can for the team."

The Melbourne star is the son of former National Soccer League player Walter Valeri.

So what's next for Valeri in his post playing days? Could he be the first coach of a Canberra A-League side?

"Look I couldn't tell you yes or no, it would probably be more of a no at this stage," Valeri said.

"One reason why I decided to retire was because I wanted to spend time with my kids and watch them grow up. If there's anything that I'll be thinking about in a few weeks time hopefully, it'll be how much more time can I spend with my children and my wife."

A-LEAGUE ELIMINATION FINALS:

Friday, 7.50pm: Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix, AAMI Park, Melbourne.

Sunday, 7pm: Adelaide United v Melbourne City, Coopers Stadium, Adelaide.