PETALING JAYA: Small-sized Faisal Halim stood tall after receiving the best striker award of the 2025-2026 Malaysian Football League (MFL) season in a grand ceremony on Wednesday.
But the 28-year-old remained humble although it was his first individual trophy after four prior nominations in the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 editions.
The Selangor captain, who has shown remarkable resurgence after an acid attack more than two years ago, said he was not at the level he was at in the past.
“It’s an honour to win, but I am not at the level I used to be in the past,” said the winger, who is fondly known as Mickey by everyone.
“I’m still looking for my rhythm and working hard to be like how I was in the past. That is the aim for the new season.”
Faisal recalled the time when he was on the brink of retirement after the horrible incident on May 5, 2024, but was glad that he was coaxed out of it and had not looked back since.
“I honestly didn’t think I would be able to play again, which is why I wanted to retire from football,” said Faisal.
“However, the doctor encouraged me, saying I could return, and Selangor provided the best possible support for me to get back on the pitch.
“The Crown Prince of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, constantly inspired and encouraged me to play again. My family too and all fans have always stood behind me.
“When I was injured and recovering, it was the lowest point of my life.
“Of course it hasn’t been easy; I was out of action for almost an entire season (2024–2025).
“Last season was about starting to rediscover my form, with the help of my teammates but I didn’t expect to play in almost every match and scoring goals, and this award gives me a renewed motivation for the upcoming season,” he said.
Last season in all competitions, Faisal played 48 matches, scoring 22 goals and notching 13 assists, proving his might as one of the best footballers in Malaysia.
The other Selangor player who received an award was rightback Quentin Cheng, who won the best defender title.
Meanwhile, Johor Darul Ta’zim captain and midfielder Afiq Fazail bagged the most valuable player (MVP) award and also the best midfielder.
The 31-year-old has been exceptional in the middle of the park for the Southern Tigers as he helped them to win the Super League, FA Cup, Malaysia Cup and Charity Shield – last season.
“I’m grateful for this award as it would push me to do even better for the upcoming season,” said Afiq.
“One of the reasons why we are at this stage is because of the Crown Prince (Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim), who pushes us to go beyond our boundaries.”
His teammate and JDT’s Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva bagged two awards – Super League top scorer (27 goals) and best foreign player – to assert his dominance as one of the best strikers Malaysian football has ever seen.
He is now the first player to win the award for the fourth time in a row (2022, 2023, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026), beating the previous record held by former Kedah and Armed Forces striker Marlon Alex James, who won it three times (2006, 2007 and 2008).
Besides Bergson, the other JDT player who received an award is Ahmad Syihan Hazmi (best goalkeeper) while their coach Xisco Munoz received the best coach award.
ROLL OF HONOUR
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (MVP): Afiq Fazail
BEST GOALKEEPER: Ahmad Syihan Hazmi (JDT)
BEST DEFENDER: Quentin Cheng (Selangor)
BEST MIDFIELDER: Afiq Fazail (JDT)
BEST STRIKER: Faisal Halim (Selangor)
BEST FOREIGN PLAYER: Bergson Da Silva (JDT)
BEST YOUNG PLAYER: Haziq Kutty Abba (Penang)
BEST COACH: Xisco Munoz (JDT)
BEST LOCAL TOP SCORER: Safawi Rasid (Kuala Lumpur - 13 goals)
SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORER: Bergson Da Silva (JDT - 27 goals)
BEST GOAL: Ramadhan Saifullah (Kuching City)
BEST TEAM: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT)
FAIRPLAY AWARD: Melaka
BEST FANS: Boys of Straits (JDT)
