Leo Bertos

Did You Know?

• Bertos scored the goal in a 1–0 win at Kidderminster that secured Rochdale's League status in 2003–04.
• He holds the all-time leading assists record for Wellington Phoenix with 12.

Club career

Bertos began in England with Barnsley's youth system, making his reserve-team debut against Rotherham United in October 2000 and his first-team debut in a 0–4 loss to Preston North End on 16 April 2001. He signed a professional contract the following day. While playing in Tenerife he sustained a knee injury; after a delay, a second opinion confirmed no meniscus was present to his tendon. His sole goal for Barnsley came in a 4–1 defeat to Bristol City.

He then spent two years at Rochdale, scoring the winner in a 1–0 victory at Kidderminster that secured the team's League status in 2003–04, but fell out of favour the next season and was released. After a brief, unsuccessful spell at Chester City, he played non-league football for Barrow, York City, Scarborough and Worksop Town. Bertos joined A-League side Perth Glory for the 2006–07 season on a two-year contract, brought in to add depth to a midfield that had lacked consistency and strength.

He replaced Nick Ward and started all 21 regular-season matches, recording nine assists—the highest in the league—though fans noted he did not score despite many chances. During the off-season, Glory manager Ron Smith allowed him to trial with Greek club Skoda Xanthi, but the trial failed and he returned for 2007–08, making fourteen appearances with one goal and two assists. On 24 January 2008, Bertos signed a free transfer with his hometown club Wellington Phoenix on a two-year deal.

He debuted in the opening game of 2008–09 against Brisbane Roar and scored his first Phoenix goal against Sydney on 7 November 2008. That season he played 16 of 21 regular-season matches (14 starts), with 2 goals and 4 assists, and was named Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year for 2008–09.

International career

Bertos made his international debut against Iran on 13 October 2003 and has represented New Zealand over 50 times, also playing at under-23 level. He is noted for his dribbling and ball skills, demonstrated in a match against Brazil where he dribbled around two defenders to win a corner, and in a 1–0 win over Malaysia he received Man of the Match for his dribbling performance. He represented New Zealand at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa and provided assists for the first two goals against world champions Italy in a 4–3 friendly loss in Pretoria before that tournament.

On 14 November 2009 in Wellington, he assisted and delivered the corner from which Rory Fallon headed the winning goal against Bahrain, securing New Zealand's aggregate victory and a spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Bertos saw the World Cup trophy during its stopover in Auckland on 27 April 2010. He was named in the final 23-man squad on 10 May 2010 as one of eight midfielders, and played in all three World Cup matches: 1–1 draws with Slovakia and Italy, and a 0–0 draw with Paraguay.

In July 2014 he was named in the New Zealand Futsal squad for a three-match series against Australia, scoring on his debut.