FAIQ BOLKIAH is worth more than his weight in gold – and he celebrated a golden goal like it was worth the wait.
The ex-Chelsea and Arsenal kid, who is now the world’s richest footballer, notched a brilliant curler for his new Thai club.
And his joy showed why he has always tried to stand – and score – on his own two feet.
Bolkiah’s father Jiefri is the Prince of Brunei and his uncle the Sultan of Brunei – making the 26-year-old one an heir to a £20billion fortune.
Born in Los Angeles and educated at Bradfield College in Berkshire, he joined Ratchaburi from fellow Thai top-flight side Chonburi in the summer.
And one of the finest moments of his career so far came in Saturday’s 6-1 demolition of Police Tero.
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Arriving off the bench at 3-0 up midway through the second period, the winger rounded off the scoring with a glorious goal in stoppage time.
Nipping inside from the left corner of the box, he swerved a sublime right-footer into the far stanchion.
Sprinting off to rejoice with his arms wide, Bolkiah’s incredible personal and family wealth was the last thing on his mind.
Having started his football journey at Berkshire non-Leaguers Newbury in 2008, he moved onto Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester, also trialling with Arsenal.
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But he never earned a professional deal, nor made a senior appearance, in England.
Bolkiah’s next step was to join Portuguese fourth-tier club Maritimo B, whose first team play two levels higher, in September 2020.
But although he managed a handful of appearances, he departed for Chonburi after just 15 months.
Bolkiah notched two goals for the east coast side before switching to Ratchaburi in central Thailand in August 2023.
Now he’s revelling after netting one of the best strikes seen in the Far East this year.
His dad once spent £17million on hiring Michael Jackson for his 50th birthday party.
But for Bolkiah Junior simple pleasures like scoring come first – you just can’t Beat It.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
