From kampung boy to FIFA stage in Zurich

Mohd Faiz Subri used to play football among the paddy fields in his village, undoubtedly honing his skills that brought him to the glamorous Swiss city of Zurich where he received the FIFA Puskas Award on Monday for the most beautiful goal of 2016.

He joined a select group of recipients that featured football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, the former being the recipient of the inaugural award in 2009, the latter the 2012 winner.

That the 29-year-old has yet to don the Malaysian team jersey made his achievement all the more remarkable as he became the first ever Asian to receive the accolade along the way.

The Penang striker executed what has been billed as a physics-defying swerving freekick against Pahang in a match on Feb 16, so mind-boggling that it catapulted him to international recognition.

Mohd Faiz's interest in football was nurtured when he was eight and his dream to represent the state was fulfilled when he was selected to represent Kedah at 18 for four years in the President Cup.

His professional carrier as a football player began in 2010 after being picked to join the Perlis team for two years before moving to the East Coast to join T-Team in 2012, and Kelantan (2013-2014).

After six years of action in the Malaysia League, Mohd Faiz's carrier peaked when he joined Penang since 2015 to date.

He was called for training with the national squad in 2012, 2013, and 2015.

"If we want success, we have to continue trying and improve our weaknesses and remain humble in whatever situation," said the player who was born in Ayer Hitam, Jerlun, Kedah on Nov 8 1987.

He obtained his primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tunku Laksamana Hitam before attending Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permatang Bonglai, both in Ayer Hitam, as well as a technical school in Arau.

Mohd Faiz has two children, Akif Fayyadh, 4, and eight-month-old Muhammad Aqil Zayyan from his marriage with Norzawanis Hashim, 29.

In this regard, his village friend Abu Bakar Zakaria, 37, did not expect his childhood pal to get global attention with his spellbinding goal.

"I did not expect he could curve the freekick to score the goal.

"My heart tells me that Faiz goal was really something and was a potential for this Puskas award," Abu Bakar said.

Sharing the same view was Faiz's teammate Mohamad Redzuan Suhaidi who said the goal by Mohd Faiz was a great motivation for himself and other Penang squad players to also earn a name like Mohd Faiz.

"The phenomenon by Mohd Faiz has opened the eyes of all players that anybody can shine at the highest level with continuous effort," he said.

He admitted that Mohd Faiz is hardworking, including practising by himself after training sessions. -- Bernama