Biography
Who is Marselino Ferdinan?
Early life and background
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Marselino grew up in a family of four children. His mother is from Surabaya, while his father hails from the Ngada region of East Nusa Tenggara. According to traditions of the Ngada people, his full name is Marselino Ferdinan Dhewa Kedhi. During his school years, he resided in Surabaya.
His older brother, Oktafianus Fernando, was also a professional athlete who played for Persebaya Surabaya during the 2021-2022 Liga 1 season before moving to PSIS Semarang. This familial connection to the sport likely influenced his early development as he pursued his own path in professional athletics.
Persebaya Surabaya career
Marselino broke into the senior squad for Persebaya Surabaya during the 2021-2022 Liga 1 season, shortly after turning 17. He made his official debut on September 12, 2021, in a match against Persikabo 1973, which resulted in a 3-1 victory. By November 2021, he netted his first league goal during a 2-2 draw against Arema. He continued to be a key contributor, providing assists and scoring crucial goals, including a match-winning goal against PSIS Semarang in August 2022.
His impact on the field was immediate, earning him the Liga 1 Best Young Player Award. In 2021, The Guardian recognized his potential by naming him one of the top 60 most promising young players globally. He concluded his time with Persebaya Surabaya in early 2023, having established himself as a reliable playmaker capable of scoring braces and setting up teammates.
International experience
Representing Indonesia at the youth level, he competed in the 2019 AFF U-15 Championship and helped his squad finish third. He also secured a bronze medal at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games and later played a role in winning the gold medal at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, a historic victory for the nation. Also, he participated in the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification, where he scored twice against Hong Kong U-20.
He made his senior international debut in January 2022 during a friendly against Timor-Leste, becoming the second-youngest debutant for the Indonesian senior team. In June 2022, he set a record as the youngest goalscorer for the senior team when he scored against Nepal. He later gained international attention during the 2022 AFF Championship, where he earned the Young Player of the Tournament award. In 2024, he scored a brace against Saudi Arabia, helping Indonesia achieve a historic victory in the third round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
European club career
In February 2023, he signed a contract with the Belgian club Deinze. He made his debut later that month as a substitute against Jong Genk and scored his first league goal for the team in April 2023. He remained with Deinze for one and a half years.
In August 2024, he joined the English club Oxford United on a two-year contract, receiving the number 28 jersey. He made his FA Cup debut in January 2025 against Exeter City. In May 2025, he appeared in a league match against Swansea City, making history as the first Indonesian-born player to play in an English second-tier fixture. In September 2025, it was announced he would join the Slovak club AS Trenčín on a season-long loan, where he debuted against Skalica in October 2025.
Birthday and age
Marselino Ferdinan was born on September 9, 2004, which makes Marselino 22 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Marselino shares the date with 36 other famous people.
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