PETALING JAYA: Footballer Arif Aiman Hanapi is not done yet, not by a long shot. And he plans to stick with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) to achieve more success.
The JDT winger made history by clinching a record fourth consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) title at the Malaysian Football Awards night on Wednesday, further cementing his status as the face of Malaysian football.
The 22-year-old also took home the best midfielder and best goal awards, adding to a growing list of accolades that now totals nine throughout his career.
Yet despite all the silverware, Arif remains hungry to achieve more with JDT.
Fans have long called for him to test his mettle abroad but Arif said he would remain grounded and loyal.
“My dream is to stay at JDT. The challenge here is already massive. I know how tough it is to keep a place in this team,” said Arif, who made his professional debut for JDT in 2020.
“People talk about going overseas, but I don’t think many clubs are seriously looking at players from Malaysia yet.
“Until I reach the level I aim for, I’ll continue to fight here.”
His sights are set on the season’s final prize, the Malaysia Cup, where JDT will take on Pahang in what promises to be a blockbuster clash at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
“It’s been a long season, but the final is everything. I’m ready to give it my all,” said Arif.
The young hotshot added the award would spur him on.
“Winning this award doesn’t mean I’ll stop working hard,” said Arif.
“In fact, they will only inspire me to push harder in the seasons to come.”
Arif’s dominance in Malaysian football is unmatched. Since 2021, he’s won the MVP title every year, alongside previous nods as best striker and best young player – three times each. But for him, the 2024-2025 season has been his most meaningful yet.
“This was one of the toughest seasons for me. I started off struggling with form and injuries, but coach Hector Bidoglio stood by me. His belief in me, on and off the pitch, gave me the strength to find my rhythm,” Arif shared.
“I’m always pushing myself. I don’t settle. Even now, I don’t feel like I’m at the level I want to be. I’ll keep working until I’m genuinely proud of myself.”
His numbers back up the ambition – 13 goals and 14 assists in 31 domestic matches, and a further five goals and two assists in the AFC Champions League Elite.
On the international stage, Arif has earned 32 caps and scored seven goals for Malaysia.
