I was a Premier League star who battled Messi and Ronaldo – now I’m an Indonesian prince

If you played in Spain’s LaLiga in the last decade, you definitely faced football royalty with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi battling for the crown ever season.

But what happens when you discover you are actual royalty?

Just ask Jordi Amat. “My grandmother told me a story when I was little that I was the crown prince of a region of Indonesia,” the former Swansea defender told the media as he was given his new title.

“I am very happy and proud to be an Indonesian citizen and so is my family. I have no words to describe my feelings right now.”

Those emotions are no surprise, as most of us would consider such talk from a grandparent as a fanciful fairytale.

But it turns out this wasn’t just a fable passed down by an elder to charm a child, Amat really does have royal heritage.

His grandmother was born in Makassar, Indonesia, a descendent of Jacob Ponto and Manalang Doelag Kansil, the 14th and 17th Kings of Siau.

Born in Canet de Mar, Spain, Amat – now His Royal Highness Prince Jordi Amat Maas – came through the ranks at Espanyol, making his debut under Mauricio Pochettino, before being snapped up by Swansea City in 2013.

He battled the kings of modern football, Messi and Ronaldo, during those LaLiga spells but when pushed on who was the best, his view might surprise.

A spell in Belgium followed with KAS Eupen from 2019 to 2022 and then, as Amat explored his heritage and his footballing options, a route to his past appeared.

“I have been international for Spain in all the lower categories, but I always knew about the possibility of becoming an Indonesian national through my grandmother. Last year, while I was at Eupen, I valued the option and we began the negotiations,” Amat revealed.

This led to a transfer to Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta’zim, where he’s already won their FA Cup, the Malaysia Cup, and the Super Cup.

And it consequently led to his naturalisation – but there are no airs and graces from Amat, even if teammates call him ‘pangeran’ [prince].

“I mean, don’t compare me to the princes and kings of Spain or England. Not at all,” he told El Día Después.

“I don’t really know the functions or what it’s all about, but it will always be to help the people, in some way, to bring football to those islands.”

He added: “It’s a really beautiful island, that’s what they’ve told me. It has a volcano that erupts every day and then crystal clear waters. It’s a really untouched island. We’ll have to explore and see what we can help with.”

And the player-turned-prince has witnessed first-hand the passion for football in his new location.

“It’s a different culture,” he noted. “It’s amazing, the people are crazy. It’s religion and then football. All the fields in Indonesia are full.”

And he’s not resting on his laurels either, ensuring he gives back to the community that has taken him in.

He added: “I’m also learning the language because, in the end, it’s also a gesture for all the people of Indonesia.”

Amat has played six times for Indonesia – scoring once, against Burundi – and is set to represent his new nation, the lowest raked country, at the 2023 Asia Cup.

Being a royal isn’t Amat’s only claim to fame, either – like many footballers, gaming was previously a big love.

In 2017 he revealed that he was once rated as one of the best at Call of Duty in the world.

He told Soccerbible: “I’ve been playing Call of Duty all of my life I guess but I really started with my brother about ten years ago. We were eighth in the world at one point.

“We were playing so good and said to each other, ‘OK, here’s the target, let’s get to the top ten’, and for one month we held that position which was good fun!”

But these days he’s much more royal than battle royale.