Then playing for Sydney FC, Gameiro was threatening to dominate the A-League at the time, after returning to Australia via Fulham, Eindhoven and Wellington.

So impressive was his form, fans had taken to calling him Scorey Goalmeiro.

Two years later and the Port Kembla striker must feel he’s the central figure in a remake of the movie Groundhog Day.

Next week he faces surgery for a third knee reconstruction, the painful and sometimes lonely road of rehabilitation to come.

Gameiro was with the Australian under 23 in November 2014 when the first injury blow happened. 

Finally up and running again last year, Gameiro’s worst fears were confirmed after being substituted in a 5-1 win over Perth.

Now he’s back to the beginning once more, after his right knee failed him during a training session.

“Thanks everyone for he kind messages, it's overwhelming,” he posted on Twitter. 

“I know I'm going to come through this stronger”. A-League teammates and opponents, Matildas stars, including Shellharbour’s Caitlin Foord reached out in support.

As gut-wrenching as it is to miss the best part of three years of your career, Gameiro also has the backing of the financial muscle of the City Football Group and facilities and staff in Melbourne.

It’s a shame Gameiro is denied the opportunity to form a lethal combination with Socceroos great Tim Cahill and Uruguayan star Bruno Fornaroli. 

ACL injuries can have a crippling impact on an athletes career and the time it takes for knee and hamstring to recover.

The versatile Dragons and Sharks NRL player Kyle Stanley was forced into an retirement at the age of 24 after five ligament tears.

But through the dark moments, Gameiro should believe there’s still a way back. 

Geelong AFL player Daniel Menzel scored four goals on his AFL return last season, after four years out of the game and as many knee surgeries.

Menzel launched a website and featured in a documentary called “A long way home”, providing an insight into what it took to return to the elite level.

“You go through that many different emotions. At first you’re that upset and sad and you just can’t stop bawling your eyes out,” Menzel said when reflecting on his fourth ACL tear.

“It feels like I've done 9-10 months work and in one moment it’s all gone.”

Gameiro is at the same starting point, but the upshot is Menzel played 18 of 24 games this year and could yet win an AFL premiership with Geelong.

The Port Kembla talent can take inspiration his best playing days are still ahead.

#MERCURYFINALS

The Mercury wants you to be part of the finals action.

We’re launching the #mercuryfinals page during August and September, including all the live scores from Illawarra junior and senior sport. And we want you to be involved as well.

Post your scores from finals games, as well as team shots, action photos or selfies of you and family and friends enjoying the game on Twitter, using the hashtag #mercuryfinals.

We’ll post them all on our website and will be giving out prizes for the best and most creative posts.