Legendary Malaysian striker Mokhtar Dahari, also known as ‘Super Mokh’ has been recognized by the world football governing body FIFA as the 3rd highest goal scorer in international football.
The organization confirmed it in a Twitter post.
?? Ali Daei, 109
?? Cristiano, 109
?? Mokhtar Dahari, 89
?? Ferenc Puskas, 84
?? Godfrey Chitalu, 79
?? Hussein Saeed, 78
?? Pele, 77
?? Ali Mabkhout, 76
?? Sandor Kocsis, 75
?? Kunishige Kamamoto, 75
?? Bashar Abdullah, 75
?? Lionel Messi, 75? The joint-9th top men’s scorer! pic.twitter.com/i6pwe8DBmH
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 29, 2021
The post shows Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi as the ninth top men’s scorer in international football with 75 goals, while the former Selangor player is listed as the third with 89 goals.
The late Mokhtar achieved the position in just 142 games. With Harimau Malaya, he has won the SEA Games twice in 1977 and 1979 and the Pestabola Merdeka four times (1973, 1974, 1976, and 1979). He also won the Asian Games bronze medal in 1974.
This achievement also means that he is the highest international scorer in South-East Asia.
Iranian legend Ali Daei and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo both share the top spot with an astounding 109 goals each. Daei managed to do it after 149 games, while Ronaldo made it in 179.
Following the Twitter post by FIFA, locals flooded the reply section, proudly acknowledging the former Malaysian striker.
Mokhtar Dahari ?? pic.twitter.com/KPrTrEfVLf
— ????? ???. ?? (@Azlan_INC) June 29, 2021
#SUPERMOKH ?? & Diego Maradona ??.
Mokhtar Dahari is proud of Malaysian. pic.twitter.com/R8Qw7XsSFj
— مليسيا ???? (@Ekor_Harimau) June 29, 2021
Proud to be Malaysian ??
— faez razak (@Faez_Razak) June 29, 2021
Mokhtar Dahari “Supermokh” Lagenda Bola Sepak Malaysia Sepanjang Zaman ???? #MalaysiaBoleh
— ???????? ™ (@Marlz91) June 29, 2021
“Mokhtar Dahari ‘Supermokh’, Malaysian football legend of all time.”
One for the history books. Thank you Super Mokh!
*Cover Image Credits: The Star/C.H. Loh