Najib lauds football wonderboy Faiz
KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Faiz Subri’s ( pix) FIFA Puskas Award 2016 would serve as an inspiration to football players in the country, said Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
The prime minister said the Penang midfielder’s achievement in Zurich on Monday night through his unique free kick also made Malaysia proud.
“Congratulations Faiz Subri! Your achievement in #FIFAPuskasAward 2016 will be an inspiration to football players in Malaysia and is a pride to the country,” he said on Facebook and Twitter yesterday.
Mohd Faiz’s stunning performance earned him 59.46% of the votes, staving off the challenge of Johnath Marlone Azevedo da Silva from Brazil, who obtained 22.86% and female footballer Daniuska Rodriguez from Venezuela, who received 10.01%.
Attired in a black tuxedo, the diminutive footballer received the award from former Brazilian star Ronaldo in a glittering ceremony attended by the who’s who of world football.
Mohd Faiz said he is extremely happy to win the award for Malaysia and dedicated the achievement to everyone in the country who had voted for him and supported him in his career.
“It was a great feeling to win, and it is even better to become the first Asian to win it,” he said.
The 29-year-old attacker also thanked theSun for promoting him and asking the public to vote for him.
His physics-defying shot was executed in a free kick during a Super League match between Penang and Pahang on Feb 16 last year. Penang won the match 4-1. The award is named after legendary Hungarian player Ferenc Puskas, a striker for Real Madrid in the late 50s and 60s, and captain of the “Magnificent Magyars”, as the highly successful Hungarian national team of that era was known.
WHAT OTHERS SAY:
“Congratulations Faiz Subri on winning the FIFA PUSKAS Award 2016. Thank God, your hard work has paid off and brought glory for Malaysia.” – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi “I am overwhelmed with his success and it is a gift for Kedah and Malaysia.” – Subri Kader, father of Mohd Faiz
“It’s true that Faiz’s achievement is good, but when FAM stated his achievement is a benchmark for Malaysian football, I beg to differ. He’s only scored one goal, and apart from that, he’s been oblivious throughout the season. Faiz’s achievement shouldn’t be taken as a reflection of the overall state of Malaysian football.” – Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim
“Congratulations on being the first Asian to win the title. Your unique achievement brought honour and glory to Malaysia. ” – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng