Persija: Messi’s Ex-Teammate Next Target? | Transfer News

tvOnenews.comPersija Jakarta is once again the center of attention in the early 2026 transfer market.

Just inaugurated the striker Indonesian National Team, Mauro Zijlstrathe Kemayoran Tigers are now said to be moving quickly to hunt down other big names to strengthen the squad.

This time, the spotlight is on Jean Motaa creative midfielder from Brazil who was on the same team as Lionel Messi when he played for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Indonesian National Team striker Mauro Zijlstra has officially joined Persija Jakarta

Rumors of Persija’s interest in Jean Mota have emerged profusely in the last few hours and have been widely discussed on social media, indicating serious movement from the management of the capital city club.

Persija Jakarta previously officially announced the recruitment of Mauro Zijlstra on February 3 2026.

The young Indonesian national team striker is expected to be an additional fresh force on the front lines as well as part of the club’s long-term project.

It doesn’t stop there, Persija reportedly wants to immediately add quality in the middle sector so that the team’s balance becomes more solid ahead of the crucial half of the season.

Jean Mota’s name emerged as the main target.

The 32 year old player is currently a free agent since January 1 2026, after ending his time with Vila Nova FC in the Brazilian Serie B.

Flexibility is Mota’s main selling point. He can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or left winger, making him suitable for Persija’s needs, who want creativity and experience in the midfield.

Its market value is still relatively high, reaching around IDR 8.69 billion, reflecting its reputation and flying hours at a competitive level.

Classy track record, once on the same team as Messi

The player who has been widely linked with Persija, Jean Mota, is Lionel Messi's former colleague at Inter Miami
The player who has been widely linked with Persija, Jean Mota, is Lionel Messi’s former colleague at Inter Miami

Jean Mota is not a random name. He graduated from the Santos academy, the club that gave birth to many Brazilian legends. His career then continued into various elite competitions, including MLS with Inter Miami.

While wearing the Inter Miami uniform, Mota played on the same team as Lionel Messi, a rare experience that made his name have added value in the eyes of the Indonesian football public.

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Last season with Vila Nova, Mota made 28 appearances with goals and assists, proving that even though he is no longer young, his quality is still maintained.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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