Goodwin kicks off his A-League Men homecoming when the Reds host Sydney FC in Friday night's season opener at Coopers Stadium.
The 33-year-old returns for his fourth stint at Adelaide United after requiring off-season surgery to remove a neuroma from his foot, missing Australia's World Cup-sealing wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June.
Goodwin concedes it's an injury that will continue to be managed, but he said the situation is nothing new.
The 31-cap Socceroo, who has already played 90 minutes across pre-season matches, managed a hip injury in the lead-up to the 2022 tournament.
"I always know that I won't make national team selection if I'm not performing at my best with Adelaide," Reds captain Goodwin told AAP.
"You can't hold anything back in the thought process, that I need to save myself for something.
"Last time around to the World Cup, I remember the talks of games coming up, (people asking) 'Are you going to hold yourself back?'
"We were playing Melbourne Victory. It's like, how am I going to hold back playing against our biggest rivals?
"It doesn't matter what the scenario is. I will play with my heart on my sleeve and put my body on the line."
Australia's domestic league returns after a four-month off-season, with Melbourne City to defend their title as champions after a grand final win over Victory in May.
Goodwin and City captain Aziz Behich were not part of the squad that took on the USA and Canada in this month's friendlies, with coach Tony Popovic opting against selecting A-League players due to lack of game time.
"I always want to be involved with that. I'm back now, fit," Goodwin said.
"Obviously, that's the disadvantage of being in the A-League that you don't get the games until October.
"Whether that (recall) comes or not, that is the end goal with the World Cup being there. That's the main focus."
Veteran left-back Jason Davidson knows he has his work cut out to get ahead of sensation Jordy Bos or Behich.
"Throughout my career, I've always said if you perform at club level, you'll always get an opportunity," Victory recruit Davidson said on Friday.
"With Tony, what he's displayed the last camps as well is that he's not afraid to give A-League players a go.
"... Jordy has gone over to Europe and done exceptionally well. He's established himself in a big club. He's made the right steps, and I think he has a very bright future. I think the sky's the limit for him.
"Aziz is an experienced player that's done it all as well in the game. So for me, where do I fit in that? If I fit in that, I'm not sure."
Davidson expects fellow Victory recruit Denis Genreau to press his own case as an attacking midfielder.
"I'm sure with the World Cup coming up, he would want to perform and try and get on that plane," he said.
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