Malaysian footballer Mohd Faiz Subri thanked his Malaysian Super League side Penang and Football Association of Malaysia [FAM] after he created history by winning the 2016 Fifa Puskas Award on Monday in Zurich, where Cristiano Ronaldo bagged The Best Fifa Men's Player Award.
It was the 29-year-old's stunning free kick during a Super League match last February against Pahang that earned him the nomination for the prestigious award. Faiz Subri's goal garnered 59.46% of the votes, edging other two short-listed goals of Brazil's Marlone (22.86%) and Venezuela's woman footballer Daniuska Rodriguez (10.01%). Notably, Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar also made it to the top-10 list.
Faiz revealed he was nervous after receiving the award and that he never thought he would be rubbing shoulders with the top European stars on the big night.
Check out his stunner below
"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. Here I would like to say Thank You to the management of the Penang team, all the coaches, my teammates, staff, PFAM, my family, fellow Malaysian especially to Penangites and to all those around the word," Faiz Subri said in a Twitter post.
"To the FAM and FMLLP: I owe so much to you for submitting my goal for evaluation."
Notably, the Malaysian star became the first player from Asia to win the award. He had travelled with his wife and his two sons to Zurich and also had hinted his desire to click a 'selfie' with Ronaldo.
Check out the 2016 Puskas Award-winning goal
