Mohd Faiz Subri
A Malaysian footballer who stunned the global sports world with a physics-defying free-kick that earned him FIFA's goal of the year honor.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Malaysian footballer·Birthday: November 8·Millennials
Biography
Mohd Faiz Subri was a solid, respected attacking midfielder in the Malaysian Super League before one surreal moment in 2016 catapulted him to international fame. Playing for Penang FA, he lined up for a free-kick from a seemingly unthreatening distance. What happened next was a bolt of sporting magic: the ball swerved with an impossible, knuckling motion, darting left, then right, and crashing into the net. The 'swerving knuckleball' goal became a viral sensation, a masterpiece of rare biomechanics and chance. It was so extraordinary that it won the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, making Faiz the first Asian player to claim the prize. Overnight, he became a national hero and a global footnote, his career forever defined by a single, breathtaking strike.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mohd was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mohd Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Mohd's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2016 FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year for his swerving free-kick for Penang FA.
- Has been a consistent selection for the Malaysian national football team as an attacking midfielder.
- Helped his club Penang FA achieve competitive finishes in the Malaysia Super League.
Did You Know?
His Puskás Award-winning goal is frequently cited as one of the most physically unusual and difficult-to-explain free-kicks ever scored.
He beat global superstars like Lionel Messi and Neymar to win the 2016 Puskás Award.
The award ceremony in Zurich was his first trip to Switzerland and one of his first major international travels.
“I just focused on the ball and hit it with the inside of my foot.”
