Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Zurich: Penang star Faiz Subri sensationally won the FIFA Puskás Award on Monday after the superb free-kick he scored during a Malaysia Super League game was voted the best goal of 2016 by users of the world governing body’s official website.
The 29-year-old Malaysian’s magnificent strike saw him register an impressive 59.46 percent of the votes to fend off Corinthians ace Marlone and Daniuska Rodriguez from Venezuela and land the glittering prize during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Zurich.
The FIFA Puskás Award is awarded to the player, male or female, judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant, or "most beautiful", goal of the year.
"Honestly, it has never crossed my mind that I would arrive at this level and be able to stand tall amongst world class footballers in this amazing place," Faiz said after receiving his award from Brazilian legend and two-time FIFA World Cup winner Ronaldo.
Faiz scored twice against Pahang at the Bandaraya Stadium last February to inspire his side to a win, but it was the attacking midfielder’s wonderfully swerving set-piece that saw him become a household name overnight.
Previous Asian players to have been nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award include Japan’s Kumi Yokoyama and Hisato Sato, as well as the Australian duo of Lisa de Vanna and Tim Cahill.