Penang FA striker Faiz Subri, now world famous, was all smiles today as he received a RM10,000 cash award from Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for his stunning goal during a match against Pahang at Penang's City Stadium on Tuesday.

The money was sponsored by the Penang Water Supply Authority (PBAPP).

“We are confident that Faiz will become a contender for the Fifa Puskas Award,” said Lim at a press conference in George Town today.

Lim expressed delight that Faiz had put Penang and Malaysia on the soccer world map when he delivered an out-of-this-world free kick to score a hattrick that night.

“As you know, our national football’s team performance is not so good and it ranks 172 in the world, which is rather painful,” Lim said.

He added that Penangites should aim to be world heroes like Faiz and not 'village champions'.

Accompanying Faiz at the press conference were his wife, coach Jacksen Ferreira Tiago and Penang Football Association chairperson Nazir Ariff and vice-president Gary Nair.

Faiz humbly said: “I had practised the free kick during trainings but this is the first time I had scored a goal in a real match."

Two-year contract

Nazir said in 2014, Lim had granted the PFA RM6 million to support the team and they almost made it to the Super League.

In 2015, Lim increased the financial aid to RM8 million following the team’s effort to enter the Super League.

“Penang then won second place and is qualified to go on to the Premier League and this year, Lim granted us RM18 million,” he said.

Asked if he was afraid that Faiz would be pinched by other football clubs, Nazir replied: “We are not afraid as he has signed a two-year contract with us and we always take care of our players."

Lim also said Penang was recently nominated as the sixth best place in the world to retire, as reported by CNN Money .

“This means Penang is moving towards becoming an international, intelligent city as it has become an attraction for many international bodies,” he noted.