Seeing this, Cristian Gonzales is currently in the public spotlight. Even the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) received indirect criticism because of this moment.
El Loco – Gonzales’ nickname – is one of the most memorable strikers in the Indonesian National Team. He became the first naturalized player for the Garuda Team in the modern era. Since his debut against Timor Leste on November 21, 2010, the Montevideo-born striker has contributed 13 goals out of 32 appearances with the Garuda Team.
He was one of the main actors who led the Indonesian National Team to reach the final of the 2010 AFF Cup. Unfortunately, in the Garuda Team’s final match, it was an anticlimax, resulting in a 2-4 aggregate defeat against Malaysia.
Although retired from the Indonesian National Team, Gonzales’ nationalism has not faded. He is still motivated to continue supporting the Garuda Team in every match.
He portrayed his love by attending as a supporter when the Garuda Team hosted the Philippine National Team on the final matchday of the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. He was present at the match held at SUGBK on Tuesday (11/6/2024) night.
He shared this moment in a video uploaded on his personal Instagram account, @el_locogoliadorcg10. In the video, he combined footage of himself cheering in the SUGBK stands with highlights of Thom Haye’s goal in that match compared to Gonzales’ goal against the Philippines in the 2010 AFF Cup semifinals. Both goals were similar because they were both beautiful long-range shots.
“Remember.. now in the stands and still supporting our @timnas.indonesia!” Gonzales wrote in the caption of the post, Wednesday (12/6/2024).
