In a career that has already taken him through the Eredivisie and MLS, Maarten Paes sounds less like a rising goalkeeper and more like a seasoned captain when he talks about what matters now.
The gloves are still his. The spotlight no longer is.
"Everything that has happened in my career has happened for a reason. I've grown and matured a lot because of it," he told FIFA, reflecting on a journey that has hardened his mentality on and off the pitch.
Once, the next contract, the next move, the next headline might have driven him. That phase is over.
"My ego isn't that important any more. I just want to contribute as much as possible to the team. My main goal is to win, both with the national team and at club level."
The message is clear: this is no longer about Paes as a prospect; it is about Paes as a pillar.
From personal ambition to national cause
For the Indonesia international, the upcoming FIFA-backed regional tournament is not just another date on the calendar. He sees it as a turning point.
"It's a positive development, not just for Indonesia but for every participating country. It will raise the level of Southeast Asian football," he said, framing the competition as a catalyst rather than a one-off showpiece.
The ambition stretches far beyond a good run. He wants a trophy, and he wants it at home.
"For me, the goal is to win the trophy. I'd love to lift the title in front of our own supporters and repay them for all the support they've given us over the past few years."
That line says as much about his priorities as any save he might make. Personal accolades can wait. Silverware in front of a roaring home crowd cannot.
Sharpened in elite company
Paes’ mindset has been forged in demanding environments. Daily work at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where standards are non-negotiable, has shaped a goalkeeper who understands what winning cultures look like. Training alongside Germany international Marc-Andre ter Stegen has only heightened those demands.
The same intensity follows him into the national team setup, where he shares the position with Emil Audero under head coach John Herdman. It is a battle, but not a feud.
"The better the competition you face, the more it pushes you to become the best version of yourself," Paes said, embracing the challenge rather than shying away from it.
That competition, he insists, exists for one purpose only: to make Garuda stronger.
"The older I get, the more important it is to me that Garuda win - not me or Emil."
No subtext. No drama. Just a clear hierarchy of values: country first, names on the teamsheet second.
A regional launchpad for Asia
Paes is not dressing up the stakes. He knows what this tournament can unlock.
"The first goal is to win the trophy here and build a really positive feeling going into the Asian Cup," he said.
Win now, build belief, carry it onto the continental stage. It is a simple plan, but not an easy one.
For Paes, though, the path is unmistakable: fierce competition in training, unity in the dressing room, and a single image in his mind — lifting a trophy in front of Indonesia’s home crowd, with the noise of Garuda echoing into the Asian Cup.
