Indy Eleven striker Romario Williams who has been rewarded for his outstanding club displays with a Reggae Boyz called up said this is what keeps every player motivated.

“I am delighted and happy of course because myself and everyone that is here and all the other Jamaican players, this is what we play for,” said Williams.

“Everyone goes out there every week to compete at a high level and hope that the work that you’re putting in, you’re rewarded with a selection like this,” Williams emphasized. “I am delighted knowing that it’s a new coaching staff and it’s always good to come in and be a part and see what it’s like and it’s always good just being around the guys, the camaraderie the energy.”

Williams, who was born some 30 years ago in August, just after the 1994 World Cup, was named after Brazilian legend Romario who was integral to his country lifting the World Cup that year.

He might not have had the same success as the Brazilian, well not all players did, but he is certainly hoping to play his part for Jamaica as they embark on qualifying for the next CONCACAF Gold Cup and the FIFA World Cup.

Williams in 2011, was a part of the last male Jamaican football team to qualify for any World Cup. The last time Jamaica played in the FIFA Senior World Cup, Williams was just four years old.

“You know whenever you are called in to represent the country at a high level, especially in competitive games, you know there’s something at stake and there’s something you are playing makes it that much more important, more special,” Williams pointed out.

Jamaica are set to play Nicaragua and Honduras on October 10 and 14 in the CONCACAF Nations Cup and Willams who has three goals in 19 games for his country might be called upon to help deliver for the Reggae Boyz having made his debut in 2016.

“With so many major tournaments on the horizon, next year is the Gold Cup, the Nations League in March again and obviously depending on the results of these games then you think about the World Cup,” Williams pointed out.

“There’s so much at stake, so much to play for over the next coming days and months. Wanting more is never a bad thing. I am just excited as usual. Excited as always and looking forward to the opportunity whenever called upon and just trying to make the most of it and help the team get the maximum six points that are available and hopefully that gets us into the quarter-final round of the Nations League and see who our opponent is at that points,” said Williams.

The former Kingston College star was selected by Montreal Impact in 2015 third overall in the 2015 MLS Super Draft.

The much-travelled player had stints at Orlando City SC, Atlanta United FC, Colombus Crew SC, Miami FC all in the US before moving to Egyptian club Al Ittihad in 2020.

In 2021 he moved to Kuwaiti team Qadsia and in 2022 he joined New Mexico United in the USL Championship before switching to Colorado Springs Switchbacks in January 2023.

In January 2024 he made the move to Hartford Athletics but he was traded to Indy Eleven on June 14, 2024.

“It has been good. Obviously, it’s always difficult having a move in the middle of the season. But the move happened and the transition went smoothly as it possibly could be. Obviously, it sucks moving in the middle of the season as I mentioned,” he noted. “I am fully settled in at Indy with the group. A good group of guys as we are just pushing and trying to get into the playoffs with only four games left.”

He has so far scored four goals and one assist for Indy Eleven. He scored his first goal for Indy pulling them levelled in a stoppage-time free kick. He has a career of 60 regular-season goals in 148 appearances.