Ex-Indonesia National Team Coach Patrick Kluivert Reveals Reason for Absence at Clash of Legends

Jakarta once again becomes the stage of nostalgia for World Football through the Clash of Legends match, which pits Barca Legends against DRX Legends at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Saturday, April 18. Pre-match attention focused on Patrick Kluivert, who was confirmed to be absent from the Barca Legends squad.

The former coach of the Indonesian National Team was previously scheduled to be one of the big names in the Barca Legends squad. Fans had been anticipating Kluivert's presence, eager to see the former sharp striker of Barcelona in action on the field.

Unfortunately, Kluivert confirmed he could not participate due to a thigh injury. This condition forced the legend from the Netherlands to step aside and only watch the match from off the field.

"I don't know if you've heard yet or not, but last week I suffered a thigh Injury. So it's very unfortunate that I can't play," said Kluivert at a press conference in Jakarta.

Kluivert's absence is a loss for Barca Legends. He is known as an iconic striker with an emotional connection to fans in Asia, including Indonesia.

Kluivert expressed deep disappointment at not being able to greet fans through the match at Gelora Bung Karno. However, he still came to Jakarta as a sign of his commitment to the organizers and supporters.

"It really saddens me, but this is the situation. Unfortunately, I can't play, but I'm happy to be here. As I said earlier, what matters is we had a prior agreement, so I still came and showed my presence as usual," stated Kluivert.

Despite Kluivert's absence, the Barca Legends squad is still packed with big names ready to entertain the crowd. The team features Ricardo Quaresma, Rivaldo, Javier Saviola, Phillip Cocu, Cristian Tello, and Juan Pablo Sorin.

This array of legends still guarantees entertainment for Football lovers coming to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. 

On the opposing side, DRX Legends also boasts many big names. Frank Ribery, Fabio Cannavaro, David Silva, Alessandro Del Piero, Keisuke Honda, and Claude Makelele will be the main attractions.

Not only that, the DRX Legends team is also strengthened by several former Indonesian national players like Ismed Sofyan, Maman Abdurrahman, Ponaryo Astaman, Irfan Bachdim, Firman Utina, and Greg Nwokolo.

The clash between these two legendary teams is predicted to be a lively affair. The nostalgic atmosphere, the presence of global stars, and the enthusiasm of the Jakarta public are the main draws of the Clash of Legends 2026.

Although Patrick Kluivert won't be stepping onto the field, his presence in Jakarta remains noteworthy. For his fans, seeing the figure of that Barcelona Legend in person is already a special moment.