According to Colombian media, Holgado has not played an official match since FIFA's disciplinary sanction in 9/2025. He remains contracted to America de Cali in the Colombian championship.

Rodrigo Holgado (number 19) celebrates a goal in Malaysia's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the second round of Group F, Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the evening of 10/6/2025. Photo: *Malaysia NT*

Colombian football journalist Bombiro Quintero stated that Holgado's professional future faces a major question mark. On X, Quintero wrote the striker is seriously considering retirement. Holgado remains under contract with America de Cali, but has not received a salary during his suspension.

Holgado debuted for the Malaysian national team in a 4-0 victory over Vietnam during an Asian Cup 2027 qualifier at Bukit Jalil Stadium on 10/6/2025. He was a standout performer, scoring one of the host's four goals.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has pursued a naturalization policy to boost the national team's competitiveness. However, Holgado is one of 7 players sanctioned for violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, concerning the provision and use of invalid documents.

Beyond Holgado, 6 other players: Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel, also received similar penalties. Each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (2,500 USD) and banned from all football activities for 12 months.

FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (437,000 USD) and annulled the results of three international friendly matches where ineligible players participated, recording them as 0-3 defeats for Malaysia. The three matches with annulled results were a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde on 29/5/2025, a 2-1 victory against Singapore on 4/9/2025, and a 1-0 win over Palestine on 8/9/2025.

Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches fall under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)'s jurisdiction, and Malaysia may also face forfeits.

FAM has appealed FIFA's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. While the appeal's outcome could impact Malaysian football, their chances of winning are not high.

Holgado was born on 28/6/1995 in La Tablada, Argentina. FAM claimed his paternal grandfather, Omar Holgado, was born in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. However, FIFA's evidence shows Omar was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

*Hoang An (via NST)*