PSSI’s massive naturalization program for Indonesian national team players is still being criticized.
In fact, if we adhere to the principle of justice, children of Indonesian descent everywhere have the same rights as those born and raised in Indonesia. If they have to go through a naturalization program or choose citizenship, that is still their right.
Most recently, PSSI immediately completed the naturalization of two Dutch players, Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders.
Their naturalization process is being accelerated so they can play when the Indonesian toktoto National Team plays Bahrain and China in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in October.
Mees and Eliano will be sworn in at the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, Monday (23/9/2024).
This time, Bola.com summarizes five sides of Indonesia Mees Hilgers, which proves his nationalism even though he was born, grew up and grew up in the Netherlands.
Mees Hilgers is apparently very close to Indonesia. It is known that the 23 year old player’s mother, Linda Tombeng, comes from Manado.
Many of Mees Hilgers’ extended family in the Netherlands also come from Manado. Hilgers feels very Indonesian.
Apart from having visited Indonesia several times, Mees Hilgers also has favorite Indonesian food. That food is chicken soup.
“I’ve been to Indonesia four or five times before, but when I was very small. My favorite food is soto ayam, it’s really delicious, my mother often makes it,” said Mees Hilgers and the FC Twente YouTube channel.
Mees Hilgers was born to Vincent Frans Hilgers from the Netherlands and Linda Tombeng.
Mees’ grandfather and grandmother from his mother, full Indonesian. His grandfather was Hendrick Victor Tombeng from Manado who was born in Ambon.
Meanwhile, his grandmother, Muhija Muchtar, was born in Jakarta.
The mother, Linda, still often returns to her hometown to Manado.
“Mees’ mother has a foundation for the blind in Manado, so she still often goes home,” said PSSI Chairman, Erick Thohir.
Mees Hilgers has a familiar name, Hito, an abbreviation of the family name of his father and mother, Hilgers-Tombeng.
He also introduced the name to his fans through social media.
“Hito, Hilgers-Tombeng,” he wrote.
Not only that, Mees Hilgers is also quite good at cooking Indonesian food. The FC Twente player even admitted that he could cook chicken soup.
“I can also make soto,” he explained.
While living in the Netherlands, Mees Hilgers often ate soto as a breakfast dish. His mother often woke him up in the morning to eat this dish.
“My mother woke me up to eat it,” said Hilgers.
The Hilgers family introduced Indonesia to their children through a road trip.
“When we was little I went on road trips to Java or Bali. I went to Indonesia four times as a child,” said Mees.
After being busy at the club, Mees has not had free time to do their family hobbies. However, now Mees will visit Indonesia more often after becoming a Garuda player.