Former FC Twente player from Denmark Kenneth Perez strongly criticized Mees Hilgers’ performance which was considered to have declined drastically after becoming an Indonesian National Team player.
The criticism was conveyed by Perez after the Ajax Amsterdam versus FC Twente match at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Sunday (18/5/2025). In this match, Twente lost with a score of 0-2.
Perez was very dissatisfied with Hilgers’ performance in the first half against Ajax. According to him, the home team’s goal started from Hilgers’ careless mistake.
“The goal came from a violation, sorry to say, the stupid Hilgers,” said Perez in an interview with ESPN, reported by Voetbal Primeur.
“I don’t know what happened to him since he became an international player for Indonesia. He thinks he’s a world star. ‘Look how strong I am.’ But he always loses in duels with Brobbey (Ajax player, Brian)!”
Not only that, Perez also said that Hilgers did not play smart. According to him, it is okay for a player to want to show off his skills, but he must be aware of the situation and conditions.
“It is not forbidden for a defender to use his brain, even if you want to show how strong you are. Use it at the right time. Hilgers is really insane,” he said.
Due to his unstable performance, Hilgers only played one half. At the beginning of the second half he was replaced by Alec van Hoorenbeeck. This is the ninth time Hilgers has been replaced in the middle of a match.
This season Hilgers has appeared 32 times defending FC Twente in all competitions. Thirty of those times Hilgers was brought on as a starter, or only twice came on as a substitute.
Hilgers’ performance this season has indeed been in the spotlight. After experiencing several injuries, his game has not been as usual. This criticism from Perez is expected to be an opportunity to improve himself.
Meanwhile, Hilgers is on the Indonesian National Team’s call-up list to face China at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta on June 5.
Image source: sindonews.com
