The internet is abuzz with news that Malaysian footballer Mohd Faiz Subri has made Malaysia proud by winning the Puskas Award for best goal at The Best Fifa Football Awards for 2016. That literally means that his goal was recognised as being the best in the world for 2016. It was the free kick against Pahang, described as gravity-defying, during the Malaysian Super League that garnered the win.
Faiz, achieved 60% of the votes, beating out the two other short-listed goals of Brazil’s Marlone (23%) and Venezuela’s woman footballer Daniuska Rodriguez (10%). Other notables who made it to the top-10 list were Lionel Messi and Neymar.
In conjunction with this major accomplishment, August Man pays tribute to the national hero by highlighting a couple of things that you may not have been aware of;
1. Faiz, the third of five siblings who hails from Kedah, became hooked on football at an early age, learning to play from his father, who supported him throughout his development.
2. At the age of 17, Faiz was awarded the best player award at the inter-vocational schools’ football competition for Perlis and Kedah in 2005.
3. Following a long stint in the President’s Cup for Kedah’s Under-21 team, Faiz encountered several obstacles after failing to gain the attention of the Malaysia Super League. He described it as being the most devastating period of his career.
4. During that time, Faiz resorted to painting to earn some money and help his family.
5. Following his success in winning the Puskas Award, Faiz has become the first Asian player to claim the prestigious prize.
