JakOnline –For the past two years, football fans in Indonesia have become familiar with the term “diaspora,” especially in relation to the national team. This refers to a policy implemented by the national association (PSSI) to strengthen the team on their path to the 2030 World Cup.
Opinions on this matter have been polarized. Some believe it is the right step to improve the quality of the national team, while others view it as a lazy approach by the PSSI to evade responsibility for building a proper system within the country.
Amid the heated debate surrounding the policy, a few players from Indonesia’s grassroots system have made it to the squad. One of them is Riky Ridho, who also happens to captain Persija Jakarta.
Ridho stands out as a representative of the “indigenous faces” in the national team squad, alongside Asnawi Mangkualam, Pratama Arhan, and Ernando Ari. However, the latter two have started to lose their places after the arrivals of Calvin Verdonk and Martin Paes, respectively.
Ridho’s presence in the current Persija squad is a blessing for the capital-based side, who are fighting for the title alongside Persib and Persebaya. This season alone, he has appeared in 20 league matches for Persija, contributing one assist.
In the national team, he continues to earn caps under Shin Tae-yong, even after the arrival of diaspora players. The last time a Persija player captained Indonesia’s men’s senior team was in 2019, when Andritany Ardiyasa wore the armband under Simon McMenemy. Speaking of captaincy, two other Persija players, Muhammad Ferarri and Dony Tri Pamungkas, are also captains for the U23 and U20 sides, respectively.
Off the pitch, Ridho has also secured several commercial deals with multiple brands, even amid the influx of diaspora players. From mineral water and coffee drinks to building materials, his face is now a familiar sight in advertisements.
It has been years since Persija had a recognizable face for commercial purposes, the last being Bambang Pamungkas. Legally, Ridho will remain with the club until the summer of 2026. So, for the time being, there is much more to come from the Surabaya-born defender. Let’s cherish the moment. (Abdi-JO)