We’ve done it! After months of voting, Malaysia’s very own Faiz Subri of Kedah who plays for Penang FA has won the prestigious Puskás award by FIFA, with over 60% of the votes. Subri accepted the award at a ceremony in Zurich yesterday.
Subri’s knuckleball against Pahang in the Malaysian Super League match in February 2016 was an incredible feat, with sports pundits comparing it to Roberto Carlos’s freekick against France in 1997. Subri not only made history as being the first Malaysian to be nominated, he’s also the first Asian to actually win the award, beating out football greats like Neymar and Messi who were also nominated for a Puskás award this round. In second place was Brazilian Marlone and in third, Venezuelan Daniuska Rodriguez.
Subri was having the time of his life in Zurich, judging by his tweets. He posted photos and selfies of himself with footballing legends:
With @Manuel_Neuer at @FIFAcom THE BEST pic.twitter.com/QUBpxLNEFO
— faizsubri13 (@faizsubri131) January 9, 2017
@FIFAcom Finally,another dreams come true,with THE BEST @Cristiano
Alhamdulillah pic.twitter.com/o03PaDm1Qp— faizsubri13 (@faizsubri131) January 9, 2017
@ManUtd Amazing moment to have Sir Alex with me,Glory Glory Man Utd..my dreams come true pic.twitter.com/RZ4qNAy5Cs
— faizsubri13 (@faizsubri131) January 9, 2017
Past winner of the Puskás Award established in 2009 include Christiano Ronado, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Neymar. We’re all very proud of Subri to have made it into the history books alongside some big names of international football.
Check out the winning goal
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I do like it when Malaysia get attention for something good 🙂