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BALIKPAPAN – Despite his busy schedule leading the Traffic Directorate of the East Kalimantan Regional Police, Commissioner Yanuari Insan has a deep passion for football.

The senior police officer revealed that he began following international football during the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

At that time, Argentine legend Diego Maradona was the player who made him fall in love with the sport.

“Honestly, I’ve been following the World Cup since 1986. That was when I started understanding football. Diego Maradona became my favourite player,” Yanuari Insan told reporters in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Friday (June 5, 2026).

Although he admired Maradona and supported Argentina as a child, Yanuari admitted he never became a die-hard fan of any particular nation.

For him, football is best enjoyed by appreciating the quality of the players on the field rather than being attached to a single team.

“I’m not obsessed with any one country. I follow the players I like within a team. So it’s not about the nation; it’s about the players,” he explained.

Currently, Yanuari follows many players competing in the English Premier League.

His fondness for the competition has also made Chelsea his favourite club to this day.

“My favourite team is still Chelsea. They’re not doing great right now, but I’ll always support them,” he said.

Although he supports the England national team, Yanuari considers Germany his top pick to win the upcoming major tournament.

According to him, Germany possesses a unique character. In regular tournaments, their performance might appear ordinary.

However, once the FIFA World Cup begins, their mentality and quality transform, making them one of the strongest contenders.

“For me, Germany is the emperor of the World Cup. They always bring surprises. Sometimes they look average in other tournaments, but when the World Cup arrives, they’re extraordinary,” he remarked.

Yanuari also expressed admiration for Germany’s football tradition since the era of coach Joachim Löw, who led Die Mannschaft to the World Cup title in 2014.

Now, with a new generation and a number of talented young players, he believes Germany will once again become a major force in world football.

“My prediction for the champion is Germany. But my support remains with England,” he stated firmly.

Even though he is backing Germany to win, Yanuari still has high hopes for England, now managed by German coach Thomas Tuchel.

He praised Tuchel’s boldness in selecting players based on current performance rather than reputation or past achievements.

“I think Tuchel is quite meticulous. He looks at players’ current form and what the team needs, not just their big names,” he said.

In Yanuari’s view, Tuchel’s courage to drop several star players demonstrates his confidence in the playing philosophy he is developing.

“Tuchel seems very optimistic. He chooses players who fit the team’s needs and chemistry. England might just spring a surprise,” he added.

For Yanuari, Diego Maradona remains the greatest player he has ever seen, even if only through match broadcasts.

However, when it comes to his all-time football idol, he chooses French legend Zinedine Zidane.

He believes Zidane not only possessed exceptional technical ability but also a leadership quality worth emulating.

“In terms of skill, Maradona was incredible. But if we talk about both skill and character, I choose Zidane. He’s humble, commands the midfield like a general, and is a true role model,” Yanuari said.

Although he admired Maradona’s brilliance on the pitch, Yanuari admitted he preferred Zidane’s character, which he felt reflected composure and leadership throughout his career.

“I’ve always been a football lover. I used to play with friends just for fun, but my passion for football has never faded,” he concluded.