Mauro Zijlstra Ready to Compete with New Naturalised Players in the Indonesian National Team

Persija Jakarta striker Mauro Zijlstra has expressed his support for the plan to include additional naturalised players in the Indonesian national team.

He also stated that he is ready to compete with the prospective naturalised players who will play in the same attacking positions.

The PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) is reportedly planning to add five more naturalised players to improve the quality of the Garuda squad ahead of several upcoming tournaments, including the FIFA Matchday in June, the 2026 ASEAN Championship (AFF Cup), and the 2027 Asian Cup.

This new naturalisation process is said to be at the direct request of coach John Herdman and has received approval from PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.

The news, which was initially leaked by the Special Staff of the Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights, Noor Korompot, on Thursday (14/5/2026), claimed that the PSSI had processed the naturalisation of two young stars, namely Luke Vickery (Macarthur FC) and Mitchell Baker. Both players play as strikers.

Commenting on this, Mauro Zijlstra welcomed the new naturalisation process.

According to him, this program is acceptable as long as it aims to improve the performance of the national team.

“Of course, if they can help the team, that’s good. So for me, naturalisation, as long as it helps the team, there is no problem,” said the 21-year-old striker to KOMPAS.com after the Super League match between Persik Kediri and Persija at Brawijaya Stadium on Saturday (16/5/2026).

The former FC Volendam player did not object to the arrival of the two players, even though they both play as strikers.

He stated that he is ready to compete for a place in the Indonesian national team because competition motivates him to continue developing as a player.