KUALA LUMPUR - Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi has created local football history after becoming the first Malaysian footballer to be nominated among three main contenders for the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Player of the Year award.
In a statement, the AFC announced that the Malaysian winger will be up against two of the continent's biggest names: Akram Afif from Qatar, who won the Golden Boot in the 2023 Asian Cup, and Al-Hilal striker, Salem Al-Dawsari from Saudi Arabia.
The 23-year-old was a key figure in JDT's treble-winning campaign, helping the team secure the Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup titles.
Arif Aiman also scored five goals in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), helping JDT advance to the last 16 of the tournament.
The winner of the award is expected to be announced at the AFC Annual Awards 2025, which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct 16. - BERNAMA