AS a footballer who spent most of his career in the Netherlands, Calvin Verdonk was never the type to be active on social media. His digital presence was minimal, so much so that his first Instagram post only came in 2024, while most of his teammates had been actively sharing their lives online for years.
To Telecom Asia Sport, Calvin admitted that he initially had no desire to be active on social media, not even to follow any trends. But everything changed when he officially became part of the Indonesian national team. In an instant, his name was in the spotlight, his posts were flooded with comments, and he experienced firsthand the unique enthusiasm of Indonesian football fans.
I was never really active on social media before. Honestly, I didn't even know what to post.
Verdonk admitted with a laugh. Before becoming an Indonesian citizen, his focus was solely on training and matches. But after joining the Garuda squad, he began to see a different side of football, the immense support from Indonesian fans.
His journey into the world of social media was quite amusing.
I started posting, and my first post was a selfie. Then I thought, 'That’s weird'.
Though he still feels a bit awkward, his interactions with Indonesian netizens have grown significantly.
On the pitch, Verdonk’s transformation extends beyond social media. His career took a new turn when he decided to represent Indonesia. Born in Dordrecht, Netherlands, on April 26, 1997, he has played for several Dutch clubs, including Feyenoord, PEC Zwolle, NEC Nijmegen, and FC Twente. He also had a brief stint in Portugal with Famalicão before returning to NEC Nijmegen, where he is contracted until 2025.
Tactically, Verdonk is a versatile player. While primarily a left-back, he is also comfortable playing as a center-back or defensive midfielder. His years in European football have shaped him into a player with a strong mentality.
Sometimes, after training, when I see the data from the fitness coach and feel like I didn't push myself enough, I’ll go out and run again until the numbers look better.
His decision to join the Indonesian national team didn’t take long. The moment the opportunity arose, he immediately said yes.
When the federation asked me to join, my first reaction was just, 'Yes!'. I looked at what they had already achieved, the history of Indonesian football, and I just said yes.
His family in the Netherlands welcomed his decision with open arms.
Some of my family are still in the Netherlands, and they were really proud when I chose to become an Indonesian citizen. We talk about football a lot, and when I visit them, they always ask how I’m doing with the national team.
For Verdonk, joining the Garuda squad isn’t just about playing football; it’s also about reconnecting with his roots. His father is from Meulaboh, Aceh, although he has yet to visit the region.
I feel a strong connection with Indonesia. My father is from Aceh, even though I’ve never been there.
Since making his debut for Indonesia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Philippines on June 11, 2024, Verdonk has become an integral part of Shin Tae-yong’s squad. He has already earned nine caps and is confident that Indonesia can make history.
I think we really believe we can qualify for the World Cup.
Despite now being in the spotlight in Indonesia, Verdonk still has big dreams for his career. One of them is playing in one of the world’s top leagues.
I’ve always dreamed of playing in La Liga. I want to play there and see if I can handle the level.
From a player who once had no idea what to post on social media to one of the most anticipated footballers in Indonesia, Verdonk’s journey has only just begun. For a diaspora footballer experiencing the warmth of Indonesian fan support for the first time, this is just the start of something special.
