PETALING JAYA: Jon Irazabal has worn many jerseys in his career but none feel quite like the one he’s donning now, the black and yellow of the Malaysian football team.
The 28-year-old defender, who plies his trade with an Azerbaijani club Sabah, has now embraced his Malaysian roots fully by joining the Harimau Malaya set-up for the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers.
And for Irazabal, the call-up is more than just a footballing milestone, it’s personal.
“I am proud of my Malaysian heritage,” said Irazabal, whose grandfather is from Malaysia.
“The opportunity I have with the national team is amazing. The aim is to support the people and the country by putting up strong performances in the qualifiers.”
The Spanish-born centreback, who qualifies through his Malaysian lineage, didn’t hesitate when the national team came calling.
“Since I was contacted, it was an easy decision. Playing at this level, especially in the qualifiers, is a big experience and one I couldn’t pass up.”
Malaysia’s football scene has grown steadily in stature and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by Irazabal.
“The motivation is the fans -people who are a little bit crazy about the game,” he smiled. “You can see it all over social media and you feel it in the stadiums. The atmosphere is excellent. The football culture here reminds me a lot of Spain—passionate, proud, and loud.”
Irazabal joined the national squad right after finishing his club season with Sabah, wasting no time in linking up with coach Peter Cklamovski’s team.
“It was quick. I finished the season and immediately joined the national team. Some of us came in after training had already begun, so it was a short period of adapting. But day by day, we’re improving.”
Known for his imposing presence at the back, Irazabal isn’t just here to win headers, he wants to play his part in executing the coach’s tactical vision.
“Yes, my height helps in aerial duels, but I know I can contribute more than that. I’m trying to integrate my game into the coach’s philosophy, and I’m ready to take on this challenge.”
