Prabowo meets Zidane at Davos, Eyes Major push for Indonesian football

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto expressed his desire to advancing national football during a meeting with French football legend Zinedine Zidane, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday (January 22).

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, in a post on the Cabinet Secretariat’s Instagram account (@sekretariat.kabinet) on Sunday, said the meeting between Prabowo and Zidane lasted around 45 minutes.

“During the approximately 45-minute meeting, President Prabowo conveyed his strong desire to continue advancing national football and the national team,” he said when confirmed by ANTARA.

On the occasion, the President also outlined plans for every new school built in the future to be equipped with a football field.

The facilities are intended not only for school activities but also to be used by children in surrounding communities as training grounds.

In addition to presenting ideas on infrastructure development, Prabowo also sought input and views from Zidane regarding the development and nurturing of national football to support its continued growth.

“President Prabowo also requested input and advice from the maestro Zidane on the development of national football,” Wijaya said.

President Prabowo also drew global attention at WEF 2026 in Davos by introducing the concept of “Prabowonomics,” an inclusive economic strategy centered on social welfare.

Speaking before thousands of global leaders and chief executives, Prabowo said Indonesia’s future economic foundation lies in strengthening human resources through a free nutritious meal program, downstream industrial development, and firm law enforcement to ensure investment certainty.

In his speech, the President emphasized that there can be no prosperity without peace, while promoting the role of sovereign wealth fund Danantara as a key driver of the national economy.

Prabowo’s appearance at the WEF—marking the first participation by an Indonesian leader in a decade—has positioned Indonesia as a strategic global partner committed to independent economic growth while remaining open to international collaboration.