Akhyar Rashid

Muhammad Akhyar bin Abdul Rashid (born 1 May 1999), better known as Akhyar Rashid, is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays either as a winger or striker for Malaysia Super League club Negeri Sembilan on loan from Terengganu and the Malaysia national team.

Early life Born in Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia, Akhyar grew up playing football from a young age, stating previously that his brothers' participation in the sport encouraged him to play. He is also known as Mat Yat by Kedah fans.

Club career Kedah Akhyar first played and joined the Kedah youth academy when he was 15 years old. He was given another change at Kedah first youth eleven. He spent time in Youth Cup played for Kedah Under-19. On 16 October 2017, he helped Kedah U-19 to win the first ever cup. In January 2015, he even had a month-long training stint with Cardiff City Academy in the United Kingdom.

On 4 March 2017, Akhyar made his first-team debut for 2017 season coming on as a substitute for Syazwan Zainon in the 80th minute of 4–0 win at Darul Aman. He scored his senior goals on 27 July 2017 in a Malaysia Cup match against Melaka United in victory win 6–2.

On 11 February 2018, Akhyar has scored his first goals on his 7th appearance for Kedah FA in the Malaysia Super League match against PKNP in a 0–1 win at Penang State Stadium.

Johor Darul Ta'zim On 29 December 2018, Akhyar signed a contract with Johor Darul Ta'zim. He made his debut for the club coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Perak on 2 February 2019. Akhyar made his AFC Champions League debut in a 2–1 loss against Japanese club Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium. He then scored his first goal for the club in which he also got an assist in a 3–1 win over FELDA United on 5 April.

During the 2023–24 AFC Champions League match on 7 November 2023, Akhyar scored in the 87th minute to secure a massive 3 points in a 2–1 win over Korean club Ulsan Hyundai.

Terengganu (loan) On 12 February 2024, Akhyar joined Terengganu on loan alongside teammate, Safawi Rasid. On 30 July, he recorded a goal and an assist in a 3–2 win over Negeri Sembilan.

Terengganu On 28 April 2025, Akhyar permanently signed a two-years contract until 2027 where he scored 10 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances for the club in the 2024–25 season. Akhyar impressed throughout the season becoming a key player for the club.

International career Youth Akhyar has represented Malaysia at all youth levels from the under 16 to the under-23 sides. He was a member of the Malaysia U17 in 2015 Asian Inter-School Championship held in China in August 2015.

Akhyar was part of the national team for the 2017 AFF U-18 Youth Championship that took place in Yangon, Myanmar. He scored 3 goals in 5 appearances during the matches. He has played in the final against Thailand which Malaysia lost 2–0. On 26 October 2017, Akhyar was selected to play in 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification in Paju, South Korea. Akhyar played a large role in the Malaysia under-19s during the qualification campaign. He scored 1 goals in 4 matches which confirmed Malaysia under-19s qualification to the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship for the first time in 11 years after finishing as one of the five best group runners-up. Akhyar was named in the Malaysia under 19 squad for 2018 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in the Indonesia. He has not played in the final against Myanmar which Malaysia win 4–3.

On 15 October 2018, he was named in the under-19 side for the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship.

Akhyar made 6 appearances in 2017 Southeast Asian Games for Malaysia U23. He has played in the final against Thailand which Malaysia lost 0–1 due to an own goal scored by Malaysian keeper Haziq Nadzli. On 23 November 2017, Akhyar has been enlisted in Malaysia U22's 30-man provisional squad for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship and on 29 December 2017 he was selected to play at the tournament.

Akhyar was named in the 20-man Malaysia under-23 for the 2018 Asian Games. On 15 August, Akhyar scored a goal in a 3–1 win over Kyrgyzstan.

Senior In March 2018, Akhyar was called up to the Malaysian national team for the friendly against Mongolia. On 22 March 2018, he earned his first international cap at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, coming on as a substitute for Mahali Jasuli in the 45th minute. In just his first appearance for Malaysia, Akhyar scored his first international goal.

On 4 November 2018, he was named in the Malaysia national team for the 2018 AFF Championship.

In June 2019, Akhyar was named in the 23-man for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Timor-Leste which Malaysia won 7–1 in the first leg and 5–1 in the second leg. Akhyar scored a goal in each match.

On 23 March 2022, in what was Malaysia's first match under the new head coach Kim Pan-gon, Akhyar scored a brace against Philippines in a friendly match, resulting in a 2–0 victory. Akhyar also represented the nation at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup where he played in all of the group stage matches.

Personal life Akhyar's elder brother Rafdi Rashid was a former striker for Kedah. His older sister Nurrashidah Rashid is currently a Malaysian national Sepak takraw player.

On 2 May 2024, Akhyar sustained injuries to his head and legs after being beaten with an iron rod during a robbery outside his residence in Terengganu.

In November 2024, he engaged with Eyka Farhana, an announcement made through her social media account.

Career statistics Club

International

International goals As of match played 6 September 2023. Malaysia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Akhyar Rashid goal.

Honours Kedah Youth Cup: 2017 Malaysia Cup runner-up: 2017 Malaysia Charity Shield: runner-up:2018

Johor Darul Ta'zim Malaysia Charity Shield: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Malaysia Super League: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Malaysia Cup: 2019, 2022, 2023 Malaysia FA Cup: 2022, 2023

Malaysia U-19 AFF U-19 Youth Championship : 2018, runner-up: 2017

Malaysia AFF Championship runner-up: 2018 King's Cup runner-up: 2022 Pestabola Merdeka: 2024; runner-up 2023

Individual FAM Football Awards – Best Striker: 2018 FAM Football Awards – Best Young Player: 2019 Malaysia Super League Team of the Season: 2018, 2019