Revealing about the naturalized Malaysian player, why did he have to 'go through' Johor Darul Ta'zim Club?

Is the naturalized Malaysian player actually owned by Johor Darul Ta'zim?

This is a question that most Malaysian fans probably understand, and is also the reason why many people still express their concerns. Because in reality, it does not come from the football governing body (FAM), but only from the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim Club, the Regent of Johor State, Tunku Ismail.

Photo: Ngoc Linh

"This is also the reason why FAM is confused by the recent request to announce the origin of naturalized Malaysian players, because they do not know everything, only know that all procedures are valid and meet FIFA's requirements. That's enough," journalist Rizal Hashim of The Star recently expressed.

According to the Malaysian newspaper, New Straits Times , despite the controversy, so far FIFA and AFC ( the world and Asian football body) have not considered any cases of naturalized Malaysian players. Therefore, as long as these players are eligible and help the Malaysian team regain its competitive strength in regional and world tournaments, it is necessary to continue moving forward.

"The win over Vietnam (4-0 on 10 June) sent a clear message across Southeast Asia - Malaysia is here to compete and dominate. And that makes some people uncomfortable. There is a sense that this is not about fairness, but fear. A fear that Malaysia's recruitment of naturalised players could change the balance of football in the region.

In Malaysia, the reaction was mixed. Many were pleased with the result, but others were worried that the team was losing its identity. However, it is a fine line.

But that is not illegal. Nor is it unethical, as long as the claims of Malaysian ancestry are legitimate and the documents are checked. FAM therefore has nothing to worry about, must stand firm and reinforce the truth: FIFA rules have been followed. No violations have occurred. The team is legitimate. If the team continues to win resoundingly like the victory over Vietnam, all doubts will be extinguished," the article by journalist Ajitpal Singh, sports editor of the New Straits Times , emphasized.

Naturalization is a double-edged sword, Indonesia's defeat against Japan is an example

However, further, naturalization does not mean that it always guarantees victory for the Malaysian team. A typical example is the Indonesian team with most of its players naturalized from the Netherlands, but suffered a crushing defeat against the Japanese team with a score of 0-6 in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup on June 10.

Malaysian football experts are concerned that the number of naturalized players in this country's football is currently concentrated only at Johor Darul Ta'zim Club and when they run out of motivation, including contracts and incentives, will they still stick with the Malaysian team?

Photo: Ngoc Linh

According to Timesport (Malaysia), the latest naturalized player to complete the procedure and obtain Malaysian nationality is Nacho Mendez, 27 years old, Spanish, who will also join Johor Darul Ta'zim Club with a generous financial offer. Nacho Mendez previously played for Sporting Gijon Club in the Spanish First Division, and is said to have a grandfather born in Penang City (Malaysia), of mixed Cuban, Spanish and Malaysian descent.

Previously, Johor Darul Ta'zim recruited naturalized players who played for the Malaysian team in the match against the Vietnamese team, including Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel and Joao Figueiredo, all on free and loan basis, after they received undisclosed commitments when agreeing to become Malaysian citizens.

Notably, in the 2025-2026 Southeast Asian Cup C1, Johor Darul Ta'zim Club is in Group B with Nam Dinh Club (the current champion of V-League, Vietnam), along with Bangkok United (Thailand), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), PKR Svay Rieng (Cambodia) and the winner of play-off 2. Group A includes Buriram United, BG Pathum United (Thailand), Selangor (Malaysia), CAHN team (of V-League, Vietnam), Tampines Rovers (Singapore) and the winner of play-off 1.