Melbourne Victory icon Archie Thompson has revealed Stoke City midfielder Ibrahim Afellay used to throw up before every match while he was at PSV.

The pair crossed paths when Thompson, who scored 69 goals in 192 appearances for Victory, spent a brief loan stint in Eindhoven back in 2006.

The former Australian international – who holds the record for the most goals scored in a single match – had an unfortunate time at PSV.

Thompson was forced to the sidelines with injury early on and found it hard to break into a PSV side that won the Eredivisie title at the end of the season.

However, the 38-year old does hold onto one distinct memory of a player he calls an "absolute superstar."

"He (Afellay) used to be sick before games, that's how nervous he used to get for PSV," Thompson told Tribal Football.

"I can't even imagine what he'd be like stepping out for a Barcelona game or a Holland match, but he's an absolute superstar."

"(He is) probably one of the best young talents I've played with."

Afelley – a PSV academy product – was an important player for the club after making his professional debut in 2004. The Dutch international would go onto make 159 appearances for the Rood-witten before making a dream move to FC Barcelona in 2010.

Unfortunately, injuries ruined his time at the Catalan giants and he was shipped to Stoke in 2015.

Injuries have remained a constant theme for the 31-year old, having made only 13 appearances for the Potters this season. He is currently sidelined with a knee injury and is expected back at the end of June.