Ali Ashfaq

Ali Ashfaq, born on September sixth, nineteen eighty-five, is a celebrated Maldivian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skills as a forward for New Radiant. Nicknamed 'Man of Steel' (Dhivehi: ދަގަނޑޭ, romanized: Dhagandey), he is widely regarded as the greatest Maldivian footballer of all time and one of the finest players in the South Asian region.

A prolific goalscorer and a free-kick specialist, Ashfaq has made a name for himself with his trademark style of beating defenders and rounding off goalkeepers. His remarkable achievements include being named the 'World's second-best top goal scorer' in two thousand thirteen by IFFHS and the 'AFC best goal-scorer of the twenty-first century' after two thousand twenty-three, with a staggering four hundred seventy-six top-level goals.

Beginning his career with Club Valencia, Ashfaq quickly rose to prominence, winning his first trophy, the Dhivehi League, in two thousand one. He was crowned the top scorer of Maldivian football from two thousand three to two thousand five and later joined New Radiant in two thousand six, where he continued to excel. His international career began in December two thousand three, and he has since earned ninety-eight caps for the Maldives, becoming the nation's all-time top scorer with fifty-eight goals.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ashfaq has won numerous titles, including ten Dhivehi League championships and six Maldives FA Cups. His contributions to the sport have not gone unnoticed, as he was named South Asia's Best Player in two thousand fourteen and received the Best Import Player Award in the Malaysia National Football Awards in two thousand fourteen. His legacy as a footballer continues to inspire many in the Maldives and beyond.