Malaysia hails hero Faiz Subri as he becomes first Asian to win world football’s goal of the year award
Player joins greats such as Ronaldo and Messi after winning prize for strike that became viral sensation
Malaysia was overjoyed on Tuesday as the country woke up to learn Mohd Faiz Subri had won Fifa’s Puskas Award for the best goal in world football in 2016.
Faiz, whose physics-defying long-range free-kick for Penang went viral online, was stunned as Brazilian legend Ronaldo read out his name at the gala in Zurich.
And his nervousness to be honoured in the same company as the likes of player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo were evident as he fumbled with his phone in an attempt to find his speech. “He’s checking his texts,” joked actress Eva Longoria, co-hosting the ceremony.
He is the first Asian to win the award, joining elite company such as Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I was a bit nervous at first but now I feel elated,” he said.