“Unique Names of Indonesian Football Players Resembling International Stars”

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian U-22 football team won a gold medal SEA Games 2023, after defeating Thailand in a high-tension match against Thailand. The final match which was held on Tuesday, 16 May 2023 at the Olympic National Stadium, Phnom Penh ended with a score of 5-2, one goal scored Son Beckham Nugraha managed to lead the Garuda squad to win the SEA Games gold medal for the first time since the 1991 SEA Games.

However, in addition to the record that was successfully scored by the Indonesian National Team for winning the first SEA Games gold medal since 32 years ago. The Indonesian national football team is also known for its line of players who have unique names.

Even so, the uniqueness of the name lies in a name that resembles the name of an international soccer player. The following is a row of Indonesian soccer players who have unique names because they resemble the names of international soccer players.

1. Son Beckham

The name Beckham Putra is synonymous with the name of English football star David Beckham. However, as reported by Beckham Putra’s official Twitter account, Beckham’s own name was given to him because Beckham Putra’s biological father really idolized David Beckham when he was in Manchester United uniform.

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“That’s right, because when Beckham was at MU in 2001, it was good, my father immediately gave Beckham’s name, only David was removed,” said the Indonesian U-19 national team player as quoted from his personal Twitter.

Arema FC footballer Achmad Figo Ramadani (left) tries to snatch the ball from Persikabo 1973 footballer Hendra Adi Bayauw (right) in a League 1 match at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, Bali, Wednesday, January 5, 2022. ANTARA/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo

2. Achmad Figo

As reported from the page transfermarkt.com, Achmad Figo is an Indonesian football player who was born in Malang, on December 25, 2001. The player who currently defends Arema FC and plays as a right back has a name that is identical to the football legend of Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​Luis Figo.

3. Ronaldo Kwateh

Quoted from the page transfermarkt.com, Ronaldo Kwateh is an Indonesian football player who is currently defending Turkey’s second caste club, namely Bodrumspor. The player whose full name is Ronaldo Joybera Junior Kwateh is the son of the former PSIS Semarang player, Roberto Kwateh and has Liberian blood from his father. The name Ronaldo Kwateh is synonymous with the name of the Brazilian football legend, namely Ronaldo Nazario.

U-23 National Team player Gian Zola after training at Field G Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, October 21 2019. TEMPO/Irsyan

4. Gian Zola

As reported from the page transfermarkt.com, Gian Zola is an Indonesian football player who currently defends Arema FC. The name Gian Zola Nasrulloh was inspired by the Chelsea legend, Gianfranco Zola, this was conveyed by Gian Zola in his interview on the YouTube channel Hanif & Randy.

“Because my father used to like Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea in 1998, the same year as my birth. The name is the same, but without Franco. So Gian Zola,” said the Persib midfielder on the Hanif & Rendy YouTube channel.

5. Maldini Pali

Quoted from the page transfermarkt.com, Maldini Pali is an Indonesian football player who has won the AFF U-19 Cup together with Evan Dimas, et al. Maldini Pali was born in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on January 25, 1995, to Pangloli Pali and Esti Tambing, his name reminds of the legend of AC Milan and the Italian national team, Paul Maldini.

He was once touted as the future midfielder for the Indonesian national team because of his brilliance in bringing the U-19 Indonesian national team to the AFF championship, but now his name seems to have disappeared from Indonesian football. Still reported from the page transfermarkt.com, Maldini currently has no club and most recently played with the Kalteng Putra club.

Quoted from the page goal.com, the player who is currently 28 years old has played for PSM Makassar and Sriwijaya FC. However, Maldini Pali chose the path of becoming a police officer. Maldini’s career was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic and was also exacerbated by the condition of Central Kalimantan Men’s relegation and the competition being stopped.

Editor’s Choice: Beckham Putra Nugraha Shines at the 2023 SEA Games, Here’s the Meaning of Beckham’s Name

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