Unloved by us, a god for 270 million others: how a Belgian woke up the most popular Football country in the world

In their homeland they are causing mass hysteria, flooding social media with millions. No football nation is currently booming as much as Indonesia. Thanks to a clever naturalization plan, it suddenly dreams out loud of a place at the World Cup. But did you know that a Belgian helped awaken the sleeping giant? This is the unlikely story of Sandy Walsh.

A cozy apartment in the heart of Antwerp is gradually coming apart at the seams.

It’s a rainy morning when Sandy Walsh and his wife Aislinn Konig hold an impressive exhibition of gifts sent to them by fans.

A suitcase weighing 20 kilos – “and we had to leave three more behind” – contains pillows, coffee mugs, puzzles and scrapbooks, among other things. Always with Walsh’s face (and often his partner) on it.

But also many more expensive gifts such as branded clothing, Formula 1 cars from LEGO and even an exclusive collectible figure of superhero Iron Man.

“Fans know that those are things I like,” beams the wing defender. “Although it’s starting to become a bit much.”

We hear you thinking: is Sandy Walsh so popular at KV Mechelen?

But the reason behind the wave of gifts is one that goes far beyond Belgian football and the magnitude of which is difficult for outsiders to comprehend.

Because in addition to playing for Malinwa, Walsh is also an international player for Indonesia.

After China, India and the US, the island nation can call itself the fourth largest country in the world with no fewer than 270 million inhabitants.

But what exactly is the link between Walsh – born in Belgium as the son of a Dutch mother and English father – with Indonesia?

“It is the country of my grandparents on my mother’s side,” the defender begins his roots story.

“I have always been very close to them. They left Indonesia in search of a better life, but always told me about the culture and their roots. The country has therefore always had a special place in my heart – even before I made the choice to play for the national team.”

“Since then, my love for Indonesia has only grown. Especially when I made my debut in my grandfather’s hometown, I felt a great connection. (points upwards) I’m sure he was watching.”

Walsh’s official naturalization was preceded by a process of years of patience. The first contacts date back to 2017.

“I first made the Indonesian news when I was in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with Racing Genk,” Walsh remembers.

“They then highlighted the fact that I had roots there. The then national coach then contacted me via a DM on Instagram. (laugh) At that time it was not as professional as it is now. He asked me if I was interested in playing for Indonesia. to play and invited me to a meeting in Jakarta. I said yes quite quickly.”

Evidently, that is not such a choice. Because it means that you are away from your family and your club a lot due to long-distance travel.

Sandy Walsh

With that pledge, Walsh accomplished pioneering work.

Because while many people are now naturalized as Indonesians without hesitation – more about that later – our compatriot took a leap into the unknown. Never before had anyone from a respected European competition dared to make the switch.

“Jordi Amat (ex-Eupen, ed.) was also there early, but I believe I was the first. Evidently, such a choice is not the case. Because it means that you are away from your family and your club a lot. because of the long journeys. Moreover, it was all politically sensitive.”

Because not everyone in the republic is eager for an influx of players who were not born there. Critics believe it affects the identity of the national team. Ultimately, it will take until 2022 before Walsh, who has been taking classes at the Indonesian embassy in Brussels for months, will receive his passport.

This actually happens in an official state ceremony with the president in traditional costume. During the ceremony, the future international must take the oath, kiss the flag and sing the national anthem.

Long live Greater Indonesia!

From that day on, Walsh’s life would never be the same.

Few countries honor their sports heroes as much as in Indonesia. And certainly in football. Despite a lack of homegrown top players, it is by far the most popular sport in the country.

Walsh – who has suddenly become a folk hero due to his commitment – soon notices how uninhibitedly passionate and obsessed the fans are Garuda Troop are.

“It’s crazy, even crazier than I could have imagined. Football is really a religion in Indonesia. It means everything to the people there. From dirt poor to wealthy – the whole country is connected by football.”

“During matches, the national stadium with 82,000 seats is always sold out. I think they could even fill it for training. There is also always a sea of ​​people camping at our hotel. At the airport, people sometimes wait 8 hours with their lunch box to get a to take a picture with me and my wife. (winks at Aislinn) She gets more presents than me these days. It’s unbelievable how great the love is.”

“Can I still just walk down the street there? (shakes head) Impossible! Even with a face mask, cap and sunglasses, they recognize me. (grins) Maybe it’s because of my football legs?”

“But without security you really can’t go outside as a football player. One photo and you’re off for hours of selfies. ‘Why don’t the police help us?’ I asked our team manager. (laughs) His answer was that they too were just a want a photo.”

In Jakarta I sometimes see my face on billboards or in TV commercials

Sandy Walsh

The Indonesia impact is particularly noticeable on social media.

Walsh went from several tens of thousands of followers on Instagram to an insane number of 2.7 million – no one is more impressive in the Belgian competition.

To give you an idea: that is more than, say, cycling phenomenon Tadej Pogacar (2 million), Red Devil Jeremy Doku (2.2 million) and athletics star Mondo Duplantis (1.4 million).

Photos and videos of Walsh that revolve around the national team easily rack up hundreds of thousands of likes and millions of views. His YouTube channel is also booming.

They saw a similar effect at the now defunct Deinze when an Indonesian top talent settled there. Major football accounts such as 433 then cleverly tap into their enormous support base by posting posts around the country.

“The fans love to follow everything on social media,” says Walsh. “They want to know how their players are doing in Europe. I like to feel connected to the supporters. All the content I share is fairly personal.”

And of course it is also commercially interesting to have such an immense reach, the international admits.

Due to his popularity, Walsh is often asked to be the face of major brand campaigns. For example, he recently appeared as an ice cream seller for an Ola commercial.

“In Jakarta I sometimes see my face on billboards or in TV commercials. (laughs) There I really enter a new world. But I only commit to brands that suit me – it wouldn’t be good to say yes to everything say.”

Walsh’s fairy tale can count as an advertisement for the Indonesian national team. Because who doesn’t dream of achieving almost divine status as a (modest) footballer in a country of that size?

Inspired by Walsh and Amat, 13 more players subsequently went through the same naturalization process. All Dutch – no surprise given the colonial past between both countries.

The newcomers include MLS goalkeeper Maarten Paes (Dallas FC), experienced defender Kevin Diks (Copenhagen) and Twente talent Mees Hilgers.

The main driving force behind all these naturalizations is businessman and politician Erick Thohir. In the past he was the owner of the Italian top club Inter, but now he heads the Indonesian Football Association.

By making smart use of pedigrees, Thohir wants to give his national team an accelerated injection of quality. Because FIFA rules allow players to play for another country if one of their parents or grandparents was born there.

And are there any doubts or ambiguities among interested parties? Then there’s always the Walsh helpline.

“I am receiving more and more calls and messages from players who also want to transfer to Indonesia. They then ask me how the whole process works, what the atmosphere is like in the team, how the travel is going… I am always ready to help everyone. help. Because that only benefits the level of the team.”

The World Cup? I believe in it, just like the rest of the group.

Sandy Walsh

The recent results prove this.

Since the arrival of the naturalized ‘acquisitions’, Indonesia has made rapid progress in terms of sport. While the country used to rank around 173 in the FIFA rankings, it now boasts some 50 places higher.

Thanks to some impressive stunts in the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. For example, Walsh and co defeated the on-paper much stronger Saudi Arabia last month, after previously holding the oil state to a draw. The renovated team also pulled off a draw against Australia.

A sleeping football giant is suddenly completely awake.

In Indonesia they suddenly even dare to dream of the World Cup now that their heroes are still competing in an unprecedentedly exciting qualifying group after 6 of the 10 match days (see below). Numbers 1 and 2 get a direct ticket, 3 and 4 get a second chance.

Would it?

“I believe in it,” Walsh sounds confidently, as he moves forward in his seat.

“Just like the rest of the group. That win against Saudi Arabia has given everyone a lot of confidence. In March, a kind of final awaits us in the match against Australia. If we win that, we suddenly have everything in our own hands. hands.”

270 million football-mad fans pray that Walsh will soon help them towards that World Cup dream.

How many suitcases full of gifts would he have to take home?