Athletic Bilbao star Jauregizar denies Malaysia link, calls it 'a lie'

New Straits Times

7 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Athletic Bilbao midfielder Mikel Jauregizar has rubbished talk of representing Harimau Malaya, branding the rumour "a lie".
In an interview with Spanish daily Marca, the 20-year-old made it crystal clear he has no links to Malaysia, despite growing speculation online.
"People just make things up. A link to Malaysia? Impossible, that's a lie. I will not be playing for Malaysia," said Jauregizar.
Claims that the young Spaniard had Malaysian heritage recently caught fire on social media, fuelling hopes among local fans of a potential naturalised star.
A video by a local journalist suggesting such ties went viral and even found its way to Jauregizar through friends.
"My friends sent me a video of a journalist from over there who made up that I had some Malaysian background," he said.
"I'm not going to play for Malaysia. People invent all sorts of things."
Asked about his online habits, Jauregizar admitted he's active on social media but prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
"I don't really like being in front of the camera answering questions. But everything that gets published eventually reaches us."
Jauregizar is the second European-based player in recent weeks to shoot down claims of Malaysian roots.
Dutch striker Ferdy Druijf also dismissed suggestions he had Malaysian blood via his grandmother.
Speaking to ESPN Netherlands, the former AZ Alkmaar forward — now playing in Slovakia — said the rumour began on a random Instagram account.
"Yes, it's actually kind of crazy, I have to be honest. An Instagram account suddenly appeared with that rumour about Malaysian roots," said Druijf.
"I didn't do anything about it, but everyone started spreading it. I even got more followers on Instagram and realised what was going on. It's a crazy reason.
"My parents don't even know much about it. So yeah, maybe it would only be revealed if I did a DNA test or something."