PETALING JAYA: Being nominated for Best Midfielder for the 2024-2025 Malaysia Football Awards is a major motivation for Sabah’s Stuart Wilkin to keep shining in the playmaker’s role.
The 26-year-old national player, who has earned 17 caps with the Harimau Malaya, is thrilled to get the nod alongside Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Arif Aiman Hanapi and Terengganu’s Safawi Rasid.
Wilkin has expressed admiration for both his rivals, particularly Arif, for their consistency in maintaining top-level performances over multiple seasons.
“Arif is an exceptional player. Staying at that high level year after year is one of the hardest things to do in football, and he’s done it brilliantly,” said Stuart.
“Being nominated alongside Arif and Safawi is an honour and an inspiration for me.”
Stuart has been the Rhinos’ midfield maestro since 2022 – and he continues to prove why he’s among the best in the country.
His consistently strong performances this season, with six goals and five assists in the Super League, have been a key factor to Sabah being third in the Super league.
They are now fancied to finish in that position for the third straight season – a feat that will earn them a spot in next season’s Asean Club Championship.
