Rodrigo Holgado


Rodrigo Julián Holgado is an Argentine professional footballer who last played as a forward for Colombian club América de Cali. He played for the Malaysia national team twice; however, he is currently suspended from all football related activities after being sanctioned by FIFA in September 2025 for forging documents related to his Malaysian ancestry.

Club career

From 2017 to 2018, Holgado played in Mexico for Albinegros de Orizaba and Veracruz.
In 2018, Holgado moved to Chile and joined Coquimbo Unido in the second level, winning the league title. In Chile, he also played for Audax Italiano and Curicó Unido before rejoining Coquimbo Unido in 2023 at the top division on loan from Argentine side Gimnasia La Plata.
In 2024, he moved to Colombia and joined América de Cali. In September 2025, América suspended Holgado following his sanction by FIFA.

International career

In preparation for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, Holgado, who claimed Malaysian heritage, was called up to the Malaysian national team on 4 June. Holgado faced criticism from Colombian sports journalist Eduardo Luis López for "abandoning his club duties" and accepting the Malaysia call-up purely based on "financial motivations". This was refuted by Holgado, who rebutted by stating that López was not qualified to comment as he was not a footballer. Colombian-born Syrian international Pablo Sabbag publicly supported Holgado's decision, emphasizing that "it is an honor to play for the national team". Holgado made his international debut on 10 June 2025 in the match against Vietnam at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, where he also scored his first international goal.
In September 2025, however, Football Association of Malaysia, Holgado, and six other Malaysian heritage players were sanctioned by FIFA due to falsification and forgery of documents regarding the players' eligibility to play for Malaysia in the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam. In all seven cases, the players' Malaysian heritage was found to be false. As a result, each player was fined CHF 2,000 and suspended from all football related activities for 12 months. FAM have confirmed they will file an appeal against FIFA's sanctions.

Personal life

Born in Argentina, Holgado claimed to be of Malaysian descent through his grandfather. However, FIFA released a statement that his grandfather was not born in nor has Malaysian ancestry, as the documentation submitted by Football Association of Malaysia was proven to be doctored.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
110 June 2025Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia2–04–02027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Honours

Coquimbo Unido
  • Primera B de Chile: 2018
Individual