KUALA LUMPUR: Arif Aiman Hanapi, the two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the M-League, is an emerging talent set to make a mark in the Asian Cup Finals in Qatar next month.
Fifa, the world governing body of football, listed the Harimau Malaya star as one of the five players expected to excel in the prestigious Asian competition.
The other talents on Fifa's list are Japan's Junya Ito (Stade de Reims), South Korea's Cho Gue Sung (FC Midtjylland), Australia's Harry Souttar (Leicester City), and the United Arab Emirates' Harib Abdalla (Shabab Al-Ahli).
Arif, 21, earned Fifa's recognition following his pivotal role in Malaysia's come-from-behind victory against Kyrgyzstan in a recent World Cup qualifier.
Playing for Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), he contributed three assists during the match, which Malaysia won 4-3.
"With eight goals and 13 assists in 23 matches this season for JDT, Arif proves he is an outstanding player.
"He first gained recognition by scoring against Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in a friendly (in 2022) and is now considered one of Malaysia's brightest prospects," said Fifa on its website.
Fifa also commended the impact of national coach Kim Pan Gon, attributing his success to elevating Malaysia as an emerging football nation in Asia.
"Malaysia are now a new power in Southeast Asia.
"Harimau Malaya won only three of their last ten matches before the arrival of South Korean Pan Gon.
"They have started the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on a positive note by winning both Group D matches," added FIFA.