'My leg went numb': Macarthur star Bernardo's admission on awful injury as return date revealed

Bernardo Oliveira is only 20, but he's seen a lot in his career already.

The Brazilian born talent has been part of three A-League clubs, played in the youth setup of the Socceroos and suffered one serious injury.

Seven months ago, the youngster was only a few games into his Macarthur Bulls career when he went down in agony.

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It had all the signs of an Achilles injury and after scans it was confirmed.

Having only just completed a January switch from Adelaide United, Bernardo had already scored three goals for his new club.

But then he went down against the Central Coast Mariners in the 60th minute.

"I didn't know what it was initially, it felt like someone had just booted me," he told Wide World of Sports at the A Leagues season launch.

"My leg went numb. But the ref gave a foul because someone was behind me so I thought I got fouled and the guy behind me from Central Coast said he didn't touch me. I was subbed off and I knew straight away it was something."

For every person who's suffered an Achilles injury, there's a story similar to that.

The noise, the feeling and the confusion.

How did that happen?

Then there's the surgery, the cast, the moon boot and rehabilitation.

It's a long journey and during those first few weeks, it's all about elevation and catching up on TV shows.

But now seven months on, the attacker has his strut back and is only a month away from returning if all goes to plan.

"It's been tough because I'm always seeing the boys train and playing the game especially because they won the Australia Cup, I'm ecstatic over it but obviously not being apart of it, you want to play your part," he said.

"I have to be patient, which I have been. It's been good to work on myself."

Bernardo's absence on the pitch hasn't just hurt his playing time with Macarthur.

The 20-year-old was a consistent fixture for the Young Socceroos in the under 20s before it all happened.

While he admits his goal is solely around Macarthur, the youngster has eyes in the distance towards further honours.

Eligible for Brazil and Australia, Bernardo laughs at a question about whether he's ever considered his country of birth.

However, it's not a consideration.

"I think (it's because) I've been in Australia so long," he said.

"Obviously I was born in Brazil and I try to go every year and see my family there but I grew up in Australia ... what I want to do is play for Australia and I'm going to work my hardest for it and if the opportunity comes I'll take it."