From a humble village in Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra, Arkhan Fikri has proven that hard work and family support can pave the way to international recognition. The young footballer, who fell in love with the sport as early as kindergarten, believes that dreams pursued with persistence can eventually come true.
Football has always been a part of Arkhan’s life. His father, a local football coach, served as both his mentor and biggest motivator. Speaking to Telecom Asia Sports, the December 28, 2004-born player shared how his journey began.
I started playing football in kindergarten. My dad always brought me to training sessions, even with adult teams. Despite being his son, he was strict and never gave me special treatment.
This strict discipline, he believes, was instrumental in shaping his mentality.
I remember competing in the Danone Cup as a kid. I was so excited back then. I also represented North Sumatra in inter-provincial tournaments and we finished fourth. My dad was a footballer, but only at the village level.
Like many kids his age, Arkhan admired European football, particularly Barcelona. While most of his peers idolized Lionel Messi, Arkhan found inspiration in Andrés Iniesta.
I play in a similar position. His vision and style are what I strive to emulate.
Arkhan admitted that his love for Barcelona greatly influenced his playing style.
I try to stay calm, focused, and always look for opportunities to deliver the best passes.
Beyond his club career, Arkhan has started making his mark on the international stage. He debuted for Indonesia's U-20 National Team in 2022 and was called up to the Senior National Team in 2023 for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Brunei Darussalam.
His early senior career, however, was not without challenges. One of the toughest moments came during the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarter-final on April 26, when Indonesia faced South Korea. Although Indonesia emerged victorious, Arkhan missed a crucial penalty during the shootout.
I wasn’t initially chosen as a penalty taker, but when my turn came, I stepped up with confidence. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t what I had hoped for. In the locker room, I kept thinking about it. But Pratama Arhan reassured me, saying this wasn’t the end of everything.
For Arkhan, that failure became a valuable lesson.
I learned that mental strength is just as important as technical skills. Preparation isn’t only about technique but also about having the courage to handle pressure.
Today, Arkhan Fikri is one of the most promising young talents in Indonesia’s National Team. Since his U-20 debut in 2022 and subsequent promotion to the senior team a year later, he has shown remarkable progress.
Still, for Arkhan, this is just the beginning.
I want to keep learning, understanding our opponents’ strengths and our weaknesses. Football is a long process; you can’t stop just because you’ve reached a certain point.
From the modest fields of his hometown to international stadiums, Arkhan Fikri has shown that big dreams are built on small but consistent steps.
