Radja Nainggolan Reveals He Would Choose Indonesia Over Belgium if Given a Second Chance
Radja Nainggolan, former Belgian international of Batak heritage, recently expressed a personal regret in his football career. Reflecting on his experiences in Indonesia, he admitted that if he could relive his career choices, he would prefer to represent the Indonesia national team instead of Belgium. His admiration for the country and the warm reception he received during his time there played a significant role in this sentiment.
Although born in Antwerp, Belgium, Nainggolan was eligible to play for Indonesia due to his father’s origins in North Sumatra. His brief stint with Bhayangkara FC in the 2023-24 season left a strong impression on him, as he felt genuine respect and appreciation from both fans and the football community. These experiences reinforced his desire to wear the Garuda jersey, emphasizing a deep personal connection to the nation.
Despite being a key player for Belgium at Euro 2016, Nainggolan felt that his contributions to the national team were limited by coaching decisions. He believed that his potential impact was hindered by then-coach Marc Wilmots’ lineup choices and later by Roberto Martinez, who excluded him from the squad without clear justification. These decisions left him feeling frustrated and underappreciated despite his successful club career, including leading Inter Milan to a Serie A title.
Nainggolan continues to follow Indonesia’s football developments closely and maintains a special bond with the country, having also served as a brand ambassador for the U-17 World Cup. His reflections highlight not only personal regret over missed international opportunities but also a deep respect for the Indonesian football culture, which he considers more appreciative of his abilities than his experiences with Belgium.
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