In a candid recent interview, former Belgian international Radja Nainggolan reignited debate about his national team career by admitting he would have preferred to represent Indonesia, his father’s homeland, rather than Belgium under Roberto Martínez.
The outspoken midfielder, long known for his fiery personality and honesty, reflected on years of frustration with Belgium’s management.
He then expressed admiration for the respect shown to him by Indonesian fans—suggesting that, emotionally, his heart might have always belonged elsewhere.
Heritage, Identity and the Dilemma
Radja Nainggolan was born in Antwerp, Belgium, but his father is Indonesian (Batak) and his upbringing has always contained a dual cultural thread.
In a recent interview published on Goal, Nainggolan admitted that if he had the chance to pick again, he would choose to represent the the Indonesian national team instead of continuing with the Belgium national football team.
This statement comes after years of frustration with his treatment within the Belgian setup, particularly under coach Roberto Martínez.
By saying that he “would prefer” to play for Indonesia, Nainggolan acknowledges not only his heritage but also a sense of missed opportunity.
He felt his contributions to Belgium were limited in return, and the remarks hint at a deeper sense of regret: that perhaps his cultural roots and the loyalty he feels to Indonesia might have granted him a more fulfilling international experience.
The Fracture with Belgium Under Roberto Martinez
Nainggolan’s relationship with the Belgian national team soured notably when Martínez took charge. Despite a strong club career, particularly in Italy, he found himself excluded from the national squad under Martínez’s tenure.
He publicly criticized the coach for what he described as “pathetic excuses” given for his omission, for example being denied a place despite playing many games at club level.
Martínez meanwhile claimed there was no personal issue with Nainggolan but argued that other players “did better” to earn their place, as reported by Inside FIFA.
But for Nainggolan the omission was not about form or fitness—it was about respect and opportunity. The breakdown became irreversible when Nainggolan declared he would never return to Belgium, even if the coach changed.
“I Would’ve Played for Indonesia”
In his most recent remarks, Nainggolan went further. He said that the Indonesian public had shown him “incredible respect” and that he would have given his all if he had worn the Indonesian shirt.
He contrasted that wholehearted commitment with his limited involvement for Belgium: “I have too small an impact, considering what I could have given,” he said according to Goal.
In his own words, Nainggolan said: “Today I tell myself I should have played for Indonesia. It’s not that I dislike Belgium, but the respect I’d get there would be different.”
He added: “Players like Sandy Walsh or Ragnar Oratmangoen aren’t stars, but they’re adored. That means everything.”
He also took aim squarely at Martínez: calling him “not a good coach” and saying that under his leadership Belgium lacked a coherent style of play. “Belgium never had a unified style. With Martínez we only relied on De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku when things got difficult,” he said.
These statements suggest that Nainggolan felt under-used and undervalued, and that for him, representing Indonesia would have meant far more than just switching allegiances—it would have meant belonging, respect, and purpose.
A Reflection on Career, Identity, and Regret
At the heart of Nainggolan’s comments is a sense of regret and reflection. He sees his international chapter with Belgium as one that could have been different.
He sees Indonesia, with its culture and the adulation from fans, as a path not taken but one he would embrace wholeheartedly.
In that sense, his remarks open a window into the emotional side of football: the interplay between national identity, sporting ambition and personal fulfilment.
For Nainggolan, the missed connection with Belgium was not just a selection issue—it was an identity issue. And the thought of representing Indonesia offered a different kind of meaning.
