SHOCK: Malaysian naturalized striker faces retirement due to FIFA sanction

Rodrigo Holgado, the striker for Malaysia's national team, is contemplating retirement after receiving a 12-month ban from FIFA.

Rodrigo Holgado, the forward for Malaysia’s national squad, is reportedly thinking about ending his career after FIFA handed him a 12-month suspension for falsifying documents related to his playing eligibility, which has disrupted his career.

The 30-year-old striker has not played any official matches since being sanctioned in connection with a case involving several long-established heritage players. Reports from Colombia indicate that his situation at Club America de Cali has deteriorated, casting doubt on his future with the club.

Colombian football journalist Bombiro Quintero stated that Holgado’s career prospects are currently uncertain. "Rodrigo Holgado, who has been suspended by FIFA since September due to issues related to the Malaysian national team, is seriously considering permanently retiring from professional football," Quintero posted on X.

"He still has a contract with Club America but is not receiving any salary." Striker Holgado, who made his debut for Malaysia's national team at Bukit Jalil Stadium last year, is among seven players penalized for violating Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code.

Holgado, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel were each fined 2,000 CHF (approximately 10,000 RM) and banned from playing for 12 months. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was fined 350,000 CHF (around 1.8 million RM).

FIFA also annulled the results of three international matches involving ineligible players, recording them as 3-0 losses for Malaysia. The affected games were a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde on May 29, a 2-1 victory over Singapore on September 4, and a 1-0 win against Palestine on September 8.

These rulings ended Malaysia’s unbeaten streak in 2025 and caused their world ranking to drop.FAM subsequently appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.