KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian football icon, Rahim Abdullah, has passed away early this morning at the age of 77.
The Malaysian Football Association (FAM) confirmed his death in a statement today.
According to the national legend’s son-in-law, Rahim died at the National Heart Institute.
Born in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Rahim was also a former police officer and played for Malaysia in several international tournaments, including the Merdeka Tournament, the South Vietnam Independence Cup, and the Jakarta Anniversary Tournament.
He also played for clubs including Penang FA, Perak FA and Selangor FA during his football career.
The highlight of his career was representing Malaysia at the 1972 Munich Olympics in Germany.
His funeral prayers will be held at Bukit Aman Mosque before he is laid to rest at the Kota Damansara Muslim Cemetery.
In a past interview with Legasi Lagenda, the Olympian said he used to play football barefoot when he was younger.
“I didn’t wear boots until I went to TI Penang (Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Technical Secondary School),” Rahim explained. He began his education at Methodist Primary and Secondary School in Nibong Tebal before continuing his Form 4 studies at TI Penang.
One of his teachers, Bakar Ismail, then offered him a pair of football cleats after seeing his student, only using ankle guards, being tackled during his first U-18 inter-school match in Penang.
Rahim, who played as a striker at the time, emerged as the top scorer of the school team.
He leaves behind his wife Maznah Mohd Dean, four children, and several grandchildren. – March 25, 2025