From Premier League Star to Indonesian Prince: Battling Messi and Ronaldo

Former Swansea defender Jordi Amat has discovered that he is actual royalty. His grandmother was born in Makassar, Indonesia, a descendant of Jacob Ponto and Manalang Doelag Kansil, the 14th and 17th Kings of Siau. Amat, now known as His Royal Highness Prince Jordi Amat Maas, came through the ranks at Espanyol before being snapped up by Swansea City in 2013. He battled the kings of modern football, Messi and Ronaldo, during those LaLiga spells but when pushed on who was the best, his view might surprise. Amat told a fan on Instagram: “Maybe Cristiano at his peak was tougher…” He is now playing for Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta’zim and has played six times for Indonesia – scoring once, against Burundi – and is set to represent his new nation at the 2023 Asia Cup.