Dos Santos speaks the Harimau language

New Straits Times

07-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Before instructions get lost in translation or the ball gets lost in transition, national footballer Endrick dos Santos is doing his part in helping the disparate Harimau Malaya team get going.
While local TV commentators are still trying to get used to remembering or pronouncing the plethora of foreign-sounding names, fans must be wondering about communication among players and coaches on the field.
In this aspect, the Brazil-born dos Santos believes he can help members of the newly assembled Malaysia team connect and click with one another.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and increasingly proficient in Bahasa Malaysia, dos Santos plays a really important role. He is the go-to translator, the cultural bridge between East and West, the unifying voice in the rojak-like national team that aim to turn incoherence into cohesion.
As Malaysia face Vietnam in a crucial Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday, the national players, cobbled from all corners of the world, are brushing up on team work, learning and understanding each other's
style and rhythm.
Recently, the national team announced the inclusion of five more foreign-born heritage players: Rodrigo Holgado (Argentina), Imanol Machuca (Argentina), Facundo Garces (Argentina), Jon Irazabal (Spain) and Joao Figueiredo (Brazil),
The naturalised dos Santos, who has donned Harimau Malaya colours since 2023. said: "It's a little difficult for them to communicate, but the others and I speak a little English, Spanish, and Malay. So, we try to help each other, to pass on to them whatever is important.
"We try to communicate during every training session. I try to help my teammates adapt faster."
But ultimately, fans around the world like to speak only one language — the language of winning.