Justin Hubner, a player for the Indonesian National Team who currently plays for Cerezo Osaka, has subtly criticized naturalized or heritage players who have recently expressed interest in joining the Indonesian National Team. Through a post on his Instagram Stories, Hubner shared his thoughts on players who were previously uninterested but now wish to join after seeing the positive developments in Indonesian football.
In his post, Hubner pointed out that these players are only now expressing interest after witnessing the improving performance of the Indonesian National Team. “Previously, no one wanted to play for Indonesia,” Hubner wrote. “And now they see us doing well and they want to join,” he continued. Known for his tough playing style on the field, Hubner also referred to these players as “funny people” in his post. “Funny people,” he added.
Justin Hubner and his teammates have once again made history with the Indonesian National Team. After reaching the round of 16 in the 2023 Asian Cup, they are now advancing to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. This achievement signifies a significant improvement in Indonesian football, making it an attractive prospect for heritage or naturalized players to join the National Team.
Although Hubner did not mention any names in his post, rumors have linked his remarks to several heritage players who previously declined but are now interested in joining the Squad Garuda . One such player is Mees Hilgers, a FC Twente player who previously rejected the Indonesian Football Association’s (PSSI) offer to be naturalized.
“Mees Hilgers was almost ready at the time, but suddenly said he wasn’t ready, and we don’t know why,” said Hasani Abdulgani back then. According to Transfermarkt, Mees Hilgers has only played once for the Netherlands’ U-21 team in a friendly match in 2022.
Hubner’s remarks have sparked various reactions from the public. Many support Hubner’s statement, believing that players who want to join the Indonesian National Team should have shown commitment from the start, not just when the team’s performance begins to improve. On the other hand, some argue that the door should remain open to anyone willing to contribute to the advancement of Indonesian football.
With the significant strides that have been made, the future of the Indonesian National Team looks increasingly bright. Support from talented players, both native and heritage, is expected to propel the Squad Garuda to even greater heights on the international stage.
