On target: Malaysia’s Rodrigo Holgado (foreground) vies for the ball with Vietnam’s Pham Xuan Manh during the Asian Cup qualifying match. — AP
PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya debutant Rodrigo Holgado is a man on a mission, one who wears both his heart and ambitions on his sleeve.
After winning over Malaysian fans with a heroic debut in Harimau Malaya colours, the Argentine-born striker wasted no time in turning his focus back to his club duties, proving that his commitment stretches far beyond borders.
Without much rest, Holgado hopped on a flight almost immediately after the match to return to Colombia, where his club America de Cali are chasing the league title.
The 29-year-old Holgado was the talk of Bukit Jalil on Tuesday night, not just for his goal in Malaysia’s commanding 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers, but for the sheer grit he displayed.
Bloodied after a head collision with a Vietnam defender, he refused to come off, choosing instead to battle through the pain and cap off his night with a 59th-minute strike that sealed his name in the hearts of Malaysian fans.
“A dream night,” he said on his social media page yesterday.
“Very happy to represent this beautiful country and fulfil this dream in my football career.”
The striker was effusive in his gratitude – not just to the fans and coaching staff of Harimau Malaya, but also to his club and their supporters for standing by him during a crucial point in their championship campaign.
“I want to thank everyone who was part of it – my teammates for the welcome, the coaching staff, and all the people of this wonderful country who made me feel so happy from the first minute,” he said.
“To America de Cali and the people above all, for supporting me despite competing at this crucial moment in the championship.
“I promise to continue defending the jersey until the very end, as I always have, and to give my all to achieve that title.”
From bleeding on the pitch in Bukit Jalil to flying halfway across the world in pursuit of glory in Colombia, Holgado is proving that passion knows no borders.
