ONCE just a ball boy watching Persija Jakarta from beyond the touchline, Zahaby Gholy now proudly wears the jersey of the club he used to admire from afar. And not just that, he’s also become a key figure for Indonesia’s national team.
I used to be a ball boy during a Persija match against Bali United. Back then, I was just a kid chasing stray balls. Now, I play for the club I used to dream about, and I’ve even been called up to the national team.
Born on December 5, 2008, in Bekasi, Muhammad Zahaby Gholy grew up kicking balls through the narrow alleyways of his neighborhood. Football came naturally, with his father working as a local youth coach and his mother, Aminah, playing a pivotal role in shaping his discipline and character.
My dad coached a youth team. I used to tag along to matches since I was five. That’s how I got into football. Even in school, I was always playing. My friends would say I was already good back then.
But talent alone wasn’t enough. Gholy trained in a different age group than the one his father coached, under someone who happened to be a family friend, but that didn’t mean he got a free pass.
Even though he was a friend of my dad’s, if I played badly, he’d say, ‘Take him out. Don’t play him".
That tough love helped him push harder. He wanted to be recognized on his own merit, not just as a coach’s son.
It paid off. Gholy became top scorer at his local club and started gaining attention in his community. He continued developing through stints at Garuda Putra, Serpong Jaya, and RMD Batavia, eventually catching the eye of Persija Jartaak’s scouts. In August 2023, his dream took a leap forward when he officially joined Persija’s academy.
I was playing in a local league in Jakarta when Persija’s U-16 coach spotted me. I was invited for a trial, and after training with the team, they signed me.
With Persija U-16, Gholy helped the team reach the Elite Pro Academy Liga 1 U-16 quarterfinals in the 2023–2024 season. His performances caught the attention of Indonesia U-16 coach Nova Arianto.
I was playing in the Elite Pro Academy against Persebaya when Coach Nova saw me. He called me up for the national team selection, and I was one of those picked.
The call-up wasn’t a ticket in, just the start of another battle. Gholy joined a four-month training camp with 34 players, all vying for 23 spots in the AFF U-16 Championship. He made the final cut. His debut came against Singapore, but it wasn’t until the last group match against Laos that he truly announced himself, scoring his first international goal from the penalty spot.
I was nervous. The crowd was massive. I thought, ‘If I miss, people will talk.’ But I took the shot anyway, and scored. It was emotional. My first goal for the national team.
He didn’t stop there. Gholy added two goals in the semifinal against Australia, and another two in a 5–0 thrashing of Vietnam in the third-place playoff. Five goals, standout performances, and a Best Player award capped off his tournament.
A kid from Bekasi, playing for Indonesia, it still feels surreal. Walking into the locker room, stepping onto the field, hearing the national anthem, it gave me chills. And after the match, singing ‘Tanah Airku’ in front of the fans at Manahan Stadium, I was overwhelmed.
Next came the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Gholy was again part of the squad, starting strong with a solid display in a 1–0 win over South Korea. He then delivered a goal and an assist in a 4–1 victory over Yemen, and helped Indonesia top the group with a 2–0 win against Afghanistan. Though their run ended in the quarterfinals against North Korea, Gholy and his teammates had done enough, securing Indonesia’s ticket to the U-17 World Cup in November.
For Gholy, this is just the beginning. Persija head coach Carlos Pena sees big things ahead:
He’s got a bright future, both for the club and the country.
From the streets of Bekasi to stadiums across Asia, Zahaby Gholy has proven that no dream is too distant. And he's only getting started.
