MAARTEN Paes never imagined that one day he would stand between the goalposts for Indonesia, surrounded by tens of thousands of fans singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs. From Nijmegen to Dallas, and now Jakarta, his journey wasn’t just about changing clubs or switching jerseys, it was about discovering the true meaning of unity in football.
He had heard stories about Indonesian supporters before, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.
The first time I wore the Indonesia jersey and stepped onto the pitch, the atmosphere was unbelievable. There were around 30,000 Indonesian fans in the stands, and when the national anthem played, it was the loudest I’ve ever heard from an away crowd.
Fans have played a crucial role in his journey with the Garuda squad. Since the beginning of his naturalization process, he knew how much hope and expectation people had for him.
I want to make the fans and my family proud.
Choosing to represent Indonesia wasn’t just a career move, it was an emotional connection to the country that runs through his veins, thanks to his grandmother from Kediri, East Java.
His debut came in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia, a game that tested both his technical ability and mental strength.
It was an intense away match, the atmosphere was heated. I prepared for everything, keeping my body and mind in top condition, embracing every challenge and opportunity.
When he arrived at the training camp, he was immediately welcomed by head coach Shin Tae-yong.
We had a conversation with the help of a translator to understand what he expected from me. I already knew a few players beforehand, and the rest welcomed me warmly. From the start, we built a strong connection because we had a big match coming up in just a few days.
But the most unforgettable moment was seeing firsthand how Indonesian fans show their endless support.
I had always heard that Indonesian fans were passionate, but experiencing it myself was something else. They don’t just support the team in the stadium, they’re everywhere, on social media, in every corner. That gives me extra energy.
For Paes, Indonesian football has something special.
We have a good team, we have a chance. There are no egos here. We all have the same goal, to take Indonesia to the World Cup.
He believes that unity is the biggest strength of the squad. He also understands the power of fans in shaping a team’s success.
I truly believe that supporters are part of the team. They give us motivation, they create pressure, and they make every match feel more alive.
When asked to describe Indonesian fans in one word, he didn’t hesitate.
Pride. Because in every game, they show their pride. As players, we feel it too, and it drives us to give our best.
Football has taken him across continents, from the Netherlands to the United States, and now to Indonesia. But one thing has never changed, his passion for the game. Now, with the unwavering support of Indonesian fans, he has one big goal ahead: to take Garuda to the world stage and prove that with hard work, dedication, and unity, dreams can become reality.
