Harry and John Souttar honour late brother Aaron at upcoming World Cup
Brothers Harry and John Souttar will represent Australia and Scotland respectively at the upcoming World Cup, honouring the profound legacy of their late older brother Aaron.
Aaron Souttar died aged 42 in July 2022 following a courageous battle with motor neurone disease.
The tragedy struck a devastating blow to the family, but the older sibling’s influence continues to guide the two international defenders.
Being 18 years older than Harry, Aaron served as both a steadfast role model and a paternal figure during their formative years.
Shaping professional careers
The talented golfer and passionate football fan played a pivotal role in charting the sporting paths of the two centre-backs.
Harry qualifies for the Socceroos through his Australian-born mother, Heather, while John features at the heart of the Scottish defence.
The family will now split their time across the United States and Canada to watch the pair compete on the global stage.
The Leicester City defender admits that performing in front of his older sibling always provided a unique motivation.
“Playing and looking at the side and seeing him there, I was always trying to impress him.”
Overcoming adversity and grief
Both players will carry permanent reminders of Aaron into the tournament, with each sporting tattoos dedicated to his memory.
John has endured significant injury setbacks throughout a domestic career spanning Dundee United, Hearts, and Rangers.
When the 29-year-old scored his first international goal in a crucial qualifying victory over Denmark, he immediately dedicated the milestone to his then-ill brother.
“He couldn’t make it tonight, but that was for him because he helped me a lot during my rehab.”
The unimaginable loss has fundamentally shifted the dynamic between the two surviving siblings.
Harry spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and acknowledges that geographical distance previously limited their communication.
However, the shared trauma of losing their childhood hero has ultimately forged an unbreakable bond between the two World Cup-bound stars.