Ricky Yacobi, The King of GBK: Golden Striker Passed Away on the Field

The world of Indonesian football once had a figure who wasn't just skilled at dribbling, but also possessed unique leadership aura and charisma; that figure was Ricky Yacobi. A name forever linked to the golden era of the national team in the late 80s. 

But on November 21, 2020, shocking sad news hit the Indonesian football world; the legend breathed his last after suffering a heart attack.

Ricky Yacobi did not die at home, nor at the office, but at a place that was always part of him: the football field. That morning, he was playing in the Trofeo Medan Selection tournament at Lapangan A Senayan, Jakarta.

One of his teammates, Lody Hutabarat, who also played in that match, witnessed Ricky's final moments.

Lody recounted that the player who helped deliver the 1987 SEA Games gold medal had scored a goal before collapsing on the field. Ricky had only been playing for about 15 minutes when it happened.

"After scoring a goal, about to celebrate, then he fell, hit by a heart attack," said Lody Hutabarat.

Ricky fell face down, just as he was about to celebrate his goal. Teammates immediately provided first aid, from pulling his tongue to performing CPR. However, these efforts weren't enough to save his life. Ricky was rushed to Mintoharjo Hospital, but the legend was pronounced dead at the age of 57.

Career Path: Gold Medalist and Pioneer to Japan

For many young people today, the name Ricky Yacobi might sound like a legend from an old book. But in the 80s-90s, he was an icon of Indonesian football.

Top scorer, leader of the frontline, and the mainstay of the national team. A key player for Indonesia when they won the gold medal at the 1987 SEA Games, an achievement that remains one of the best for the Merah Putih (Red and White) team to this day.

Ricky Yacobi was also a pioneer for Indonesian players in the Japanese League. Before the J-League developed into the modern league it is today, Ricky played for a Japanese club in 1988. His presence there is often cited as the initial gateway for Indonesian players to foreign competitions.

As a striker, Ricky was known not just for his speed, but also his intelligence in finding space. His playing style was elegant, his finishing clinical, and his charisma earned him the nickname "King of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium" by fans of that era.

Inspiration for the New Generation

Ricky Yacobi's passing is a loss not only for his family, but also for Indonesian football. Many former players and coaches describe Ricky as a humble figure, a hard worker, and someone with high dedication to the sport.

His greatest legacy isn't just goals or trophies, but inspiration – that a kid from Medan could make it globally, that an Indonesian player could break into foreign competitions, and that football could be a path to a life full of honor.

Even until his very last moment, Ricky was still on the field, scoring a goal, doing what he loved since childhood. And perhaps, that is the final beauty of his career.