Malaysia's Faiz Subri first Asian to win FIFA Puskas Award

(VNF) - Malaysia's Faiz Subri netted the FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of 2016 on Monday (Jan. 9^th), putting his name on the same list as past winners such as famed football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

The 29-year-old garnered 59.46 per cent of votes by fans around the world to pip Brazil's Johnath Marlone Azevedo da Silva (22.86 per cent) and Venezuela's woman player Daniuska Rodriguez (10.01 per cent) to the award, first won by Ronaldo in 2009.

The win was for what has been described as a physics-defying swerving "knuckleball" goal against Pahang in the Malaysian Super League match on February 16^th, so spectacular that it catapulted him to international recognition.

The ball was heading towards one corner but ended up deceptively in the other, leaving the Pahang goalkeeper and football fans dumbfounded.

Penang FA and Malaysia's midfielder Mohd Faiz Subri after winning the 2016 FIFA Puskas Award on Jan. 9^th in Zurich. (Photo: AFP / Fabrice COFFRINI)

The Malaysian footballer was handed the award for his spellbinding free kick by Ronaldo at a glittering ceremony for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 in Zurich.

Faiz also created history as the first Asian to be bestowed the gong named after Ferenc Puskas, the Hungarian football legend who enjoyed huge success with Real Madrid during the 1950s and 60s as well as his national team.

"Honestly, it has never crossed my mind that I would arrive at this level and be able to stand tall among world-class footballers in this amazing place," the Penang striker said after receiving the award.

The Kedah-born player called the win a career-defining moment for him and his family in an interview with FIFATV.

"I was a bit nervous at first but now I feel elated," he said, thanking Malaysians for their prayers of support as well as fans who voted for his goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo received the trophy. (Source: Asian Age)

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed FIFA's inaugural best player of the year award, the latest prize for the Real Madrid and Portugal star after a glittering 2016 for club and country as well as France's Antoine Griezmann, the top player at this summer's European championship.

Ranieri, 65, who saw off Real boss Zinedine Zidane and Portugal manager Fernando Santos, said the best coach honour was "incredible" after receiving the prize from Argentine football legend Diego Maradona.

Under Ranieri's leadership, Leicester pulled off one of the greatest shocks in English football history by defying title odds of 5,000-1 to lift the Premier League trophy last season.

Leicester City's Italian manager Claudio Ranieri holds his trophy for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach of 2016 Award. (AFP/Fabrice COFFRINI)

U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd scooped the best women's player of 2016, the two-time Olympic gold medallist adding to her 2015 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year accolade.

Spain's La Liga accounted for nine of the 11 players in the FIFPro team of the year with Ronaldo and Messi headlining a star-studded line-up.

Ronaldo was joined by Real team-mates Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric while the side comprised four Barcelona players with Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez joining Messi.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was named to the FIFPro World 11 for the fourth year running.

Juventus defender Dani Alves was included for a sixth time having help Barca to a league and cup double before leaving the Camp Nou for Italy last June.

FIFA also gave a fair play prize to the Colombian side Atletico Nacional. The team had asked South America's football governing body to award a regional club title to Chapecoense after most of the Brazilian side perished in a plane crash on the way to the first leg of the final./.

( Compiled by VNF )