progresifjaya.id, JAKARTA – The actions of two European players of Dutch descent who play in the European League, Ian Maatsen, Aston Villa’s left back, and Jairo Riedewald, Royal Antwerp’s defensive midfielder who uploaded Indonesian naturalization documents to their social media accounts shocked the national football world.
This upload immediately caught the attention of Indonesian football fans. This issue then quickly developed into a hot topic in cyberspace.
Unlike the previous naturalization process which tended to be open, the naturalization of these two players took place almost without media attention. Many parties did not expect the process to be in the final stage.
Internal sources said that the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, had signed the documents of the two players on June 27, 2025. If this information is correct, it means that Ian Maatsen and Jairo Riedewald have officially held the status of Indonesian Citizens (WNI).
So far there has been no official announcement, either from PSSI or the government regarding this matter. Even so, the naturalization files exhibited by the two players further strengthen the suspicion of their involvement in the big project of the Indonesian National Team towards the 2026 World Cup.
This step is considered a big breakthrough by PSSI to strengthen the Garuda squad. But the involvement of Maatsen and Riedewald is also not a short-term strategy. They have experience playing at the highest level in Europe. Their technical and tactical quality is also above the average of local players.
If it is true that the two Indonesian players enter the Indonesian National Team, it is certain that the Garuda Squad’s appearance in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian Zone will be very competitive.
For your information, Ian Maatsen is an agile defender who is experienced in the Premier League
Ian Ethan Maatsen – his full name, was born in the Netherlands and now plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League. This versatile player is known as a reliable left back who has an attacking orientation as a winger.
Maatsen started his professional career with Chelsea and had loan spells at several clubs, such as Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, and Burnley. His name emerged after being selected as one of the best young defenders when helping Burnley get promoted to the Premier League in the 2022/2023 season.
At Aston Villa, Maatsen appeared regularly and was known for his speed and deadly cross accuracy
Meanwhile, Jairo Jocquim Riedewald, who was born in Amsterdam on September 9, 1996, started his football career by joining the Ajax Amsterdam academy.
When Ajax was under coach Frank de Boer, he was trusted to make his senior debut. At the club nicknamed De Godenzonen, Riedewald became the backbone of the midfield for four seasons.
In 2017 he decided to leave Ajax and join Crystal Palace in the Premier League. At Palace, he can play as a central midfielder or a central defender. The same thing happened when he strengthened Royal Antwerp in the Belgian League.
Riedewald’s tactical qualities, physical endurance, and ball control are great assets for the Garuda Squad to be able to appear in the 2026 World Cup. (Bembo)