Previously, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung announced on New Year's Eve 2026 that to celebrate Jakarta's 500th anniversary, he would invite several foreign clubs to play against Persija. One club Pramono said he had already reached an agreement with was Hertha Berlin.
"I saw it on the internet. Sorry, but the internet often provides inaccurate information. They say new players are joining our team, and players are being removed from our team. So I'll believe it if the President calls us to inform us that in 2027 we have a friendly against Hertha Berlin," Souza said at a press conference before the BRI Super League match against Persijap Jepara at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium .
"It would be great if there was that match. It would be really good for Persija because Hertha Berlin is a big team in Germany. So, Persija is a big team. It's good for Hertha Berlin to come and play against Persija," said the Brazilian coach.
On several occasions, the Kemayoran Tigers have invited foreign teams to play friendly matches against them. Persija brought Gamba Osaka (Japan) to Jakarta in 2015, then Espanyol (Spain) in 2017, and most recently hosted Ratchaburi (Thailand) in 2022.
Apart from these friendly matches, Persija last participated in an Asian level competition in 2019, namely the 2019 AFC Cup. At that time, Persija's progress only reached the group phase, but they were recorded as having been visited by a number of foreign clubs, namely Shan United (Myanmar), Ceres Negros (Philippines), and Becamex Binh Duong (Vietnam).
