Former Barcelona star Garcia impressed by Arif

KUALA LUMPUR: Many fans will hope that Arif Aiman Hanapi is good enough to play in Europe. At just 23, he has already carved his name into Malaysian football folklore. His dazzling combination of pace, flair, vision, and maturity makes him a one-of-a-kind talent.

Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Luis Garcia, who now serves as Johor Darul Ta'zim chief executive officer, sees elite-level potential in Arif. "Arif is a very young talent. He started early at the highest level and has coped with all the pressure.



"We know that there are a lot of clubs that want him because of his quality, technique and speed. "Hopefully, we will see a Malaysian player like him reach Europe, maybe even Spain," said Garcia. National team head coach Peter Cklamovski is excited by what Arif could become with proper development.

"He's probably the most talked-about name. A great young, talented player with a lot of potential. I'm excited to work with him to get him at his best," he added.

Since making his professional debut with JDT in 2019, Arif has been nothing short of phenomenal. In just five seasons, he has racked up 147 appearances and found the back of the net 52 times, staggering numbers for a winger. And it's not just club football where Arif has thrived.

He has seven international goals and 10 assists under his belt for Harimau Malaya.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.