Malaysian footballer Faiz Subri has scored one of the biggest sporting achievements in the world as he won FIFA Puskas Award 2016 for the best goal of the year.
The 29-year-old's amazing free-kick has garnered him 59.5 percent of the votes, beating fellow top-three finalists Marlone and Daniuska Rodriguez who each received 22.86 and 10.01 percent votes.
Faiz is the first Malaysian and Asian player to win the prestigious award, and the achievement has certainly catapulted Malaysia to an international level.
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| (Photo source: fifa.com) |
“Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I would be able to stand here for the best, world-class goal of 2016,” said Faiz during his acceptance speech.
“I would like to thank the Penang Football Association, the Professional Footballers Association Malaysia, FAM, my family, my father, my mother, and everyone who voted for me.”
The award was handed to him by Brazilian legend Ronaldo in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday, 9 January 2017.
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| (Photo source: fourfourtwo.com) |
On 16 February 2016, Faiz scored the outstanding, physics-defying goal in a 4-1 victory by Penang in a Malaysia Super League game against Pahang on Feb. 16. a match against Pahang.