Jakarta, ThedailyID — Calvin Verdonk made history for Indonesian football when he started for Lille against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The Indonesian international played the full 90 minutes at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France.
Verdonk started at left-back in Lille’s 4-3-3 formation. He focused mainly on defensive duties and did not attempt a shot, although he recorded a pass into the final third.
The 29-year-old also saw plenty of the ball. He recorded more than 60 touches, alongside Lille teammates Alexsandro and Nabil Bentaleb.
Verdonk’s Ratings Across Four Platforms
Different football statistics platforms gave Verdonk varying scores for his performance.
- WhoScored: 6.5, above Lille’s team average of 6.32.
- Soccerway: 6.6, matching the average rating of his teammates.
- Sofascore: 6.1, below Lille’s average of 6.55.
- FotMob: 6.0, compared with the team average of 6.3.
The ratings reflect differing assessments of Verdonk’s performance. While WhoScored rated him above the team average, Sofascore and FotMob placed him below it.
Despite the mixed scores, Verdonk’s appearance marked a significant milestone for Indonesian football, as he became the first Indonesian player to start a Champions League match.
