Marselino Ferdinan Officially Joins Persija: Teammates' Response and a New Career Path
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- Marselino Ferdinan menandatangani kontrak dua tahun dengan Persija Jakarta setelah karier di Eropa tidak sesuai harapan.
- Rekan-rekan di Timnas Indonesia seperti Ole Romeny, Jay Idzes, dan Maarten Paes memberikan dukungan melalui media sosial.
- Keputusan ini menjadi titik balik bagi gelandang 22 tahun itu untuk bangkit dari cedera dan minim menit bermain.
Indonesia national team midfielder Marselino Ferdinan has officially joined Persija Jakarta on a two-season contract. The announcement was made on Wednesday (23/9/2026), marking a new chapter for the 22-year-old after a far-from-smooth journey in Europe.
The news immediately drew warm reactions from his teammates in the Garuda squad. Ole Romeny, Jay Idzes, Justin Hubner, Maarten Paes, Rizky Ridho, and Ivar Jenner left comments on the post about Marselino's arrival. Romeny wrote "Yes, sir!" with a teary-eyed emoji, while Idzes, Hubner, and Jenner responded with wide-eyed emojis. Paes chose a clapping emoji as a show of appreciation.
The decision to return to Indonesia did not come without reason. Since choosing to play abroad in early 2023 after leaving Persebaya Surabaya, Marselino struggled to get playing time. At KMSK Deinze (2023–2024), he was trusted to play only seven times. At Oxford United, he was even loaned to AS Trencin in Slovakia, but opportunities remained scarce.
His recurring injuries worsened the situation. In late December 2025, Marselino had to undergo hamstring surgery. Bad luck continued when he returned to the operating table in mid-August 2026 due to a muscle problem. This condition kept him out of the Indonesia national team for the October 2025 and March 2026 FIFA Matchdays. He only returned to strengthen the Garuda when they faced Mozambique on 9 June 2026, playing 65 minutes in a 1-0 win.
"Yes, sir!" wrote Ole Romeny, quoting a social media post, showing the full support of his national team teammates.
For Persija, Marselino's presence is a valuable addition to the midfield. The capital club is building its squad to compete in the upcoming BRI Liga 1 season. Marselino is expected to rediscover his best form and become the attacking engine for Macan Kemayoran.
On the other hand, Marselino's return to the domestic competition could set a precedent for other young Indonesian players. This move shows that Liga 1 can be a place to revive a career after a bitter experience abroad. However, challenges remain: he must prove that he still deserves to be a pillar of the Indonesia national team, especially with fierce competition in midfield.
Going forward, the national football public is waiting to see whether Marselino can regain his best touch with Persija. If he succeeds, it is not impossible that he will again become a mainstay in the Garuda squad for upcoming international events. Conversely, if he fails, his return could be seen as a step backward. What do you think?
