Following a string of victories in the 2024-25 season of the Liga 1 pro soccer division, Persib team captain Marc Klok joins DAMAN for a stylish collaboration with Louis Vuitton. He then sits down with Joezer Mandagi for a chat about his team’s winning streak, his charitable foundation and future goals
Victory fuels soccer star Marc Klok. Just hours after leading his team, Persib Bandung, to a 4-1 victory against Semen Padang on their home turf, he’s in Jakarta, ready to step into the world of Louis Vuitton with the same intensity he brings to the soccer pitch. Despite the evident exhaustion, Marc appeared unfazed as he arrived at The Orient Jakarta, a huge smile on his face and a well-traveled Louis Vuitton backpack slung over his shoulder, to prepare for a day of shooting under the sun.
A Champion’s Momentum
“I felt great, but just a bit tired from the traveling and the game,” Marc starts off. “It was a tough match under difficult circumstances, but I was happy with the result. When you do things off the pitch, like a photoshoot, it feels more meaningful after a win. A good result puts you in a happy mood, whereas a bad one brings a lot of negative feelings. So, after a victory, it’s always nice to do these kinds of things.”
What’s more, a week earlier, Persib won 4-1 over Persik Kediri after a short winless run. With these two victories, Persib extends its lead at the top of the Liga 1 standings, making it even harder for rivals to close the gap.
“It’s been a challenging but rewarding season,” Marc sums up the 2024-25 season. “For the first time ever, we’ve been leading for most of it. Last year, we were always chasing the top spot, but this time, we’ve been the ones setting the pace. That comes with its own challenges: You need to stay motivated and hungry while also managing the pressure of being the team everyone else is trying to beat. Our opponents play at 300 percent to try to knock us off the top. It’s been fun, difficult, and a great learning experience. But the season isn’t over yet—we still have a big push ahead.”
Of course, as team captain, Marc will be at the forefront of that big push. “I lead by example. I try to stay true to myself, whether it’s a good or bad day. Consistency is important—my teammates should always know what to expect from me,” he elaborates on his leadership style. “In a team, you deal with a lot of different personalities and egos. Everyone has their own ideas on how things should go. But at the end of the day, it’s a collective mission. Every ego, including mine, has to fit into that mission. My role is to make sure we’re all aligned and working together to get the job done.”
It was honestly quite refreshing to hear a prominent player like Marc pointedly including himself in his “there’s no I in team” speech. And then, I got another glimpse into the psyche of the man as our conversation drifted to another topic close to his heart: the Marc Klok Foundation.
From the Heart
“On the pitch, we talk a lot about motivation, success, and reaching personal goals. But at the same time, I wanted to give back and create a legacy of social impact,” he walks me back through the founding of the charity. So far, the foundation has built a school in Cilincing, Bandung, followed by a soccer court in Jakarta and, quite recently, a school and orphanage in Mandalika, Lombok. Running the foundation, however, has a much more personal meaning to Marc rather than just “creating social impact.”
Earlier this year, in January, Marc penned an article for FIFPRO.org—the official website for the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels—and mentioned the idea that “providing happiness to others could also positively affect my own happiness.” When I asked if this holds true for him, especially with regards to the Marc Klok foundation, he says: “Absolutely. Not just with the foundation, but in life in general. When I see my kids happy, I’m happy. When my parents or my wife are happy, I feel fulfilled. The same applies to social impact—when you do something that makes others smile, it gives you a deep sense of satisfaction. That feeling is priceless.”
Yet another way that Marc spreads positivity off the pitch is through vlogging. His YouTube channel, @MarcKlok10, is a hidden gem for soccer fans. Not the flashiest channel, but packed with heart, depth and must-hear stories, especially the “MARK TALKS” videos. “I wanted to share the personal stories of football players beyond the pitch,” he elaborates. “People see us as athletes, but they don’t know the struggles, sacrifices, and emotions behind our success. By speaking with my teammates and other athletes, I hope to inspire others—especially those dealing with insecurities or self-doubt. Mental health is important, and I think we need to talk about it more openly.”
Marc then noted that one of his favorite episodes was the one with Raffi Ahmad which allowed him to bridge the gap between football and the influencer world, but for depth and meaningful conversation, he recommends the episode featuring former Bali United striker Ilija Spasojević. “We talked about raising children and the values we want to pass on,” Marc reminisces. “That was a really powerful discussion.”
From Kits to Couture
Today, Marc Klok is also carving a reputation for being a fashion-forward athlete, having appeared in various fashion editorials—including more than once right here on DA MAN—and collaborating with high-end brands—such as Louis Vuitton for this story.
When asked what he looked for in potential collaborations, Marc mentioned that it has to be “something I’d wear even if I weren’t collaborating with the brand.” It goes without saying that Louis Vuitton fits that description to a T, and some of the pieces featured in this story really got him excited. The LV Footprint Soccer sneaker designed by Pharrell Williams obviously caught Marc’s eye, and even the pink bag got him mulling over getting one for himself.
His absolute favorite Louis Vuitton piece, however, was something that has been with him for a long time. “My backpack, for sure. I use it all the time—for football, traveling, everything,” Marc nods at the well-traveled bag I saw him carry at the day of the photoshoot.
It’s interesting to note here that Louis Vuitton’s connection with the world of sports has been nicely encapsulated in the slogan “Victory travels in Louis Vuitton.” While it’s more of a reference to the French fashion house’s famous trophy cases and medal trunks, it seems uniquely fitting for Marc’s journey right now.
At the time of writing, Persib Bandung has seven games left in the 2024-25 season of Liga 1, or as Marc describes it: “For us, it’s like seven finals.” As team captain, Marc has been quite satisfied with how Persib has maintained its position while being cautiously optimistic about the need to reinforce the gap between his team and the runner up. Ultimately, however, he’s motivated. “I want to keep going, to prove to myself that I’m better that before—I want to keep challenging myself and reach new heights,” Marc concludes. “I want to make an impact, to create a legacy. And we’re on the right track.”
Photography Vony Wong
Styling Brad Homes
All outfits by Louis Vuitton
Photography Assistance Dendi Kurniawan
Styling Assistance Bagoes Abyoso, Isabella Harahap, Vanessa Yofania
Grooming Chiki Evers
Location The Orient Hotel Jakarta