Money is not the driving force behind Faiq Bolkiah’s football career. The son of Brunei’s prince, whose net worth is estimated to be around €15 billion, is considered the world’s richest footballer, but he is not being given any advantages in the game and has decided to rescind his contract at Portuguese Primeira Liga side Martimo a year and a half after joining from Leicester City without having played a single minute.
Bolkiah, who also previously played for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League, has made a name for himself in Southeast Asia with five league starts in ten games.
The winger, who wears number 11, has three goal assists to his record but has yet to score himself.
And he has already been voted Chonburi’s player of the match twice. Chonburi is presently sixth in the league, four points behind third-placed Chiangrai United.
Because of the improvement in Bolkiah’s football fortunes, he is now able to give his supporters a taste of his on-field performances rather than only his glamorous off-field life on social media.
Because of the improvement in Bolkiah’s football fortunes, he is now able to give his supporters a taste of his on-field performances rather than only his glamorous off-field life on social media.
He now regularly posts photographs and videos of himself in play for his new team to his 232,000 Instagram followers, featuring footage of him running rings around opposition defenders before sending in crosses or having attempts on goal.
Chonburi FC published his amazing numbers during his recent man-of-the-match performance against Chiangmai United, which included three shots and a 68.2 percent passing accuracy.
His strong start with the Thai club means he has a good chance of completing his contract, which expires in May 2023.
The 23-year-old has six senior international caps, and fans in his homeland are reveling in his unexpected success after his years of footballing disappointments. Brunei-based Borneo Bulletin says he is “shining” in the Thai top flight.
Bolkiah said soon after signing for Chonburi: “I’m really happy and everyone had helped me in settling really well. The players are really nice and all of the staff had helped me. The last two years I don’t think I had much of an opportunity to show what I can do on the pitch at the last place I was at.
“So, I had to really be careful about my next destination so that I can get a chance to show what I can do. After speaking to the coach, it was one of the main reasons why I came here. I felt that this is the right place to come to progress at this stage of my career.”
