"I’m nervous like I’m about to take a penalty in the final," Afif said as he accepted the award on Monday. "I thank my wife and all the national team members, coaches, administrators and medical team. I will try again to win this award for a third time." His reflection highlights the intense pressure and expectations surrounding such prestigious accolades and reinforces his commitment to excellence into the future.
Afif, who had previously won the award in 2019, was presented with the trophy following his instrumental performances in Qatar's successful defence of their Asian Cup title on home soil earlier in the year. His ability to lead Qatar not only demonstrates his skill but also his importance to the national team’s success, marking a milestone in his career.
In February, the 27-year-old Al Sadd forward became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Asian Cup final and netted eight times throughout the tournament to secure the award ahead of Jordan's Yazan Al-Naimat and South Korean Seol Young-woo. This sets Afif apart as a historical player in the tournament's legacy, showcasing his talent during critical moments.
Kiko Seike succeeds Australia's Sam Kerr to win the women's award ahead of Australia's Cortnee Vine and Kim Hye-ri of South Korea and is the fourth Japanese player to claim the title after Homare Sawa, Saki Kumagai and three-time winner Aya Miyama. Seike’s achievement is a testament to the growing prowess of women’s football in Asia, demonstrating the rise of competitive talent in that space.
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