IT didn’t take long for Joey Pelupessy to settle in. Though only recently donning the red-and-white kit, his presence is already felt. At 31, the midfielder has brought a fresh rhythm to Indonesia’s national team. His debut against Bahrain wasn’t just about stats or playing time. It carried something deeper: a quiet confidence and composure that spread throughout the team, shaped by his ability to read the game.
He didn’t come just as another name among the diaspora players. His story runs deeper. Back in his childhood home in Nijverdal, the Netherlands, stories about Indonesia were always part of his life. His grandparents came from Ora Island in Central Maluku. And through them, Joey grew up connected to his roots, not through textbooks or documentaries, but through warm, simple conversations at the dinner table.
I grew up with stories about Indonesia, about family, culture, and life there. When the chance to represent the national team came, it felt like coming home.
Now, that word “home” means something even more powerful. On the pitch, Joey isn’t just another midfielder making passes. He’s the heartbeat of the team, the steady presence who controls the pace of play. In the tight 1-0 win over Bahrain in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, his contribution was clear, even if it didn’t show up on the scoresheet. He helped keep the team organized, gave freedom to the attackers, and provided a calm base to start each offensive move.
At an age when many players start thinking about retirement, Joey arrived not with big talk but with maturity. His career has taken him through Heracles Almelo and Groningen in the Eredivisie, Sheffield Wednesday in England, Giresunspor in Turkey, and now Lommel SK in Belgium. But when he talks about playing for Indonesia, you can hear the difference in his voice.
Playing for Indonesia gives me new energy. Everything feels so alive.
He also spoke about adjusting to the national team as a diaspora player. Surprisingly, the transition was smooth.
I felt very comfortable in the first two weeks. We didn’t really talk about being diaspora. Everyone was just happy we were here. We played together for the national team. That’s what I saw against Australia. Even though we lost, we played well.
When asked whether he felt pressure during his debut against Bahrain, especially after the team’s 0-5 loss in the previous match and with World Cup qualification still up for grabs, he replied:
At that moment (against Bahrain), I didn’t really check social media, especially right before the match. I was just focused on helping the team win. And in the end, we got the result we wanted.
There’s one more thing that made a big impression on him: the fans, especially when he saw the huge banner in the stands. He had seen the videos and heard the stories. But being there in person was something else.
I saw it, the first time I played at GBK Stadium, and it was unbelievable. It was massive. Goosebumps. Really impressive. It’s so different when you’re on the pitch and you see it from a player’s perspective. Before, I never really paid attention to the surroundings before a match, I was always focused. But this time, I was overwhelmed. It gave me goosebumps.
It’s easy to see why Joey was quickly accepted. He didn’t arrive like some superstar from Europe. Quite the opposite, he’s humble, respectful, and fits right into the team. In training, he’s often the first to arrive and the last to leave. To the younger players, he’s more than just a teammate; he’s someone they look up to.
The decision to go through naturalization raised some questions at first. But for Joey, it wasn’t about boosting his career. It felt like something bigger.
I had long discussions with my family. This wasn’t about an opportunity. This was about giving back to the land of my ancestors.
And so far, he’s already started to give back. Not just through solid performances, but through the way he carries himself on and off the field. He shows what it means to wear the national jersey, with pride, discipline, and a real sense of belonging. For Joey, the national team isn’t just a place to play; it’s the home he’s been looking for.
Indonesia has never lacked talented players. But in football, finding the right balance is not easy. Joey Pelupessy didn’t come just to fill a spot. He brings calm, control, and a clear sense of direction to a team that’s still growing. Not everyone may have noticed it in his quiet debut against Bahrain. But this could be the beginning of something bigger, the journey of a diaspora player who finally found his place in red and white.
