PETALING JAYA: Safawi Rasid’s (pic) nomination for Best Attacker in the 2025-2026 Malaysia League Awards stands as a testament to his resurgence, where he endured a hard-fought journey to rediscover his finest form.
Having been nominated for Best Midfielder in the 2024-2025 edition, the Terengganu-born attacker continued to prove his credentials with Kuala Lumpur during the 2025-2026 campaign.
His stellar performances earned him a place on the three-man shortlist for the accolade, where he faces stiff competition from Kuching City’s Ramadhan Saifullah and Selangor’s Faisal Halim.
For Safawi, who secured a transfer to Kuching City in June ahead of the new season, every nomination is significant as it is recognition of his relentless effort throughout the year.
The 2019 season remains his most decorated, when he claimed his second Most Valuable Player (MVP) gong before adding the Best Midfielder award in 2020 — the last time he walked away with individual honours at the ceremony.
“Every time I’m nominated, regardless of the category, it means a lot to me because it shows that my hard work each season is being recognised. I’m deeply grateful and above all, seeing the people closest to me happy is what matters most,” said Safawi.
“I feel that I gave everything on the pitch, and this nomination makes all the effort worthwhile.
“The other nominees (Ramadhan and Faisal) have their own unique strengths and have shone brightly this season, making this a very tight contest,” he added.
Alongside his Best Attacker nomination, Safawi was crowned the 2025-2026 Local Top Scorer after firing home 13 goals in the Super League during his campaign with Kuala Lumpur.
The 13-goal haul marks a huge jump from his seven-goal return in the 2024-2025 season, when he turned out for Terengganu.
The last time the former Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star claimed the Local Top Scorer award was in 2019, when he scored eight goals for the Southern Tigers.
Reflecting on his growth, Safawi attributed his resurgence to a surge in self-belief.
“My growing confidence on the pitch has really helped me to elevate my game,’’ he said.
