Cahill, who will represent Australia in next month's Asian Cup, is determined to leave a legacy.

He said the fact more could have been made of Italian World Cup hero Alessandro Del Piero's time with Sydney FC from 2012 to 2014 should make the game's hierarchy realise it needs to formulate plans – or "vision" – for how it uses marquee players.

"The A League has to have a vision for every footballer," he said in response to Fairfax Media's question about the prospect of his joining the A-League.

"Del Piero was here for how long? I think that could've been maximised more for legacy. Commercially [Del Piero's presence] was fantastic, but it has to be more. I'm Australian. I know I can affect the game in a big way, but not to come back and the main element is where all they talk about is money.

"I've never, ever worried about money and football because my ability will always be proven to earn money. When they get a vision like they do elsewhere – with a project and something that has impact – then we'll see [about playing in the A League]."

While Cahill turned 35 last week, he is regarded as one of Australia's most marketable, and most loved, athletes.

While he has always been passionate about promoting the game and Australia's players, he resisted calls to play a guest stint for an A-League team before next month's Asian Cup, because he did not think it was fair to the game.

"People say, 'Come back for a guest stint, but for what?' A bit of hype? To be the billboard boy for two games? [The demand] is very humbling – it is a compliment – but it's not fair on the game."

Cahill, who has a junior soccer academy and enjoys a massive fan base among youngsters in Australia, said regardless of whether he played in the US for the New York Red Bulls, in England's Premier League or anywhere else, he would have a positive influence on junior players.

"I'm creating a legacy for grassroots football," he said. "I don't even have to be here to affect the children in a massive way.

"The things I'm doing, the things I'm bringing out soon with my project – my app and website – will bring so many different things, but it's for the children. My sponsor activation is for the children; the community things. I do that of my own free will, not with FFA, not with any organisation. I do it by myself."

Cahill, who launched his clothing collection Shoreditch by Tim Cahill in Sydney on Wednesday night, paid tribute to his New York Red Bulls teammate Thierry Henry after the French ace announced his retirement.

"He's a great guy, a personal friend," Cahill said. "He was one of the main reasons why I went to the New York Red Bulls. The guy sees the game in a whole different way. He got me to another World Cup, in a sense understanding football, understanding my body, understanding life.

"He's real serious when it comes to productivity and demanding more from myself. I was really professional in England but I think the level of professionalism has gone to a different level for me, hence my turning 35 last week but still being physically able to produce on the world stage."