"I slept in a hotel for three weeks, so it's still a bit of an adjustment," he begins while we are looking for a lamp for the house. "My girlfriend is happy that I’m back because we had a long-distance relationship for four and a half years. That wasn’t always easy. I'm happy to be here and that’s why a house where you feel comfortable is very important."
From striker to goalkeeper
Football has always been a big part of his life. "I started when I was three and I was always a striker. Once we started playing on a full-sized pitch, I lost the enjoyment of playing up front. In my second year at U15 level I became a goalkeeper. I found my passion, improved and not long after that I moved to NEC."
He is now also an international for Indonesia. "It's a great honour. I've already made many wonderful memories and in Jakarta it’s always a celebration. I think it’s an underrated football culture. I invite everyone to experience it. It’s comparable to Argentina, I think — it's incredible."
Bond with his grandmother
"My grandmother was born there and she experienced the war," he continues about his roots. "After the war they came to the Netherlands and from a young age she always brought that culture into my life. We used to cook Indonesian food together a lot and later she became my history teacher. During her final years I decided to play for Indonesia. Playing for that national team is also an honour to my grandmother. We learned the national anthem together, we learned the Pancasila together and she had just passed away before my debut. Every time I hear the national anthem, I think especially of her."
America
Paes enjoyed a great time in the United States. "I had four very good years there: I was an MLS All-Star and won Save of the Year. It was a great period; I was able to travel all across America and develop myself in different ways beyond football," the goalkeeper says.
But he also experienced difficult moments abroad. "I lost my grandfather and grandmother, missed several weddings and had a long-distance relationship. All things that made it very attractive for me to return to Europe. I think this was the perfect outcome," says Paes.
Playing minutes
Paes, who arrived from FC Dallas, has already made two appearances due to the injury to Vítězslav Jaroš. He looks back on his first weeks with a positive feeling. "I think I’ve been welcomed very well by the group. My debut came sooner than expected, especially because I was dealing with a lot of things off the pitch. Think of moving house and the paperwork. New steps are always exciting, especially when you enter a new dressing room. It’s very nice working at the club and I’m extremely happy with it. Stepping out of your comfort zone from time to time is good, because stepping out means growth. I can’t wait for the wonderful memories we’re going to make."
He already feels completely at home in Amsterdam. "Ajax is a top step in your career. I can already notice that I'm setting personal records for jumping power and ankle stiffness, a goalkeeper’s term. And on the pitch everything happens much faster than I’m used to. There is pressure and I'm not someone who runs away from that. All in all, I think it’s a perfect fit."
