Malaysian football is set for a historic moment after Arif Aiman, the 23-year-old star winger of Johor Darul Ta’Zim and Malaysia National Team, was named among the final three nominees for the AFC Player of the Year 2025 award.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed the shortlist, with Arif joining Qatar’s Akram Afif (Al-Sadd) and Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal) as the top contenders.
This marks the first time in history that a Malaysian player has reached the final shortlist for Asia’s most prestigious individual football award. The winner will be crowned at the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 16 October.
Arif’s nomination comes after a stellar year for both club and country, where he consistently impressed with his creativity, pace, and decisive performances. His recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the rising standard of Malaysian football on the Asian stage.
Adding to Malaysia’s pride, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has also been shortlisted for the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football (Silver Category). FAM joins the Guam Football Association (GFA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the three finalists for the award, highlighting Malaysia’s growing commitment to grassroots development.
Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/SNE-Photo
