He joined a select group of recipients that include football legends Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Neymar.

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

The Penang striker executed what has been billed as a physics-defying swerving freekick against Pahang in a Malaysian Super League match on Feb 16 last year.

It was so mind-boggling that it catapulted him to international recognition with one UK paper even predicting it would win the FIFA Puskas Award shortly after his goal went viral on YouTube last February.

Professional career in football

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’s 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, Faiz has made much progress with him joining Penang in 2015, and he has played for them since.

Though he was called up for training with the national squad in 2012, 2013, and 2015, he was not picked for the team.

“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.

Faiz has two children, Akif Fayyadh, 4, and eight-month-old Muhammad Aqil Zayyan from his marriage to 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 told me that Faiz goal was really something and had great potential for this FIFA Puskas award,” Abu Bakar said.

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

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

He said that Faiz is hardworking, including practising by himself after training sessions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94sJDKeIM44