PETALING JAYA: Gone is the scrawny kid who left Malaysia last August to join Belgian football club KV Kortrijk.
Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin has bulked up thanks to the special diet provided by his club.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe was impressed by his physique when the 19-year-old joined the teams centralised training camp in Johor Baru.
Its good for me to bulk up to be competitive in Europe. I need to be muscular because the players in Europe are big-sized, if Im skinny I will get swatted aside, said the Kelantanese, who is the youngest in the 29-player squad.Buffed up: Luqman Hakim Shamsudin leaving Belgium to check into the national centralised training camp in Johor.
Im stronger now so I can handle the physical part of the game. Although Im bigger now, Im still among the smallest in the club.
Luqman, in a virtual press conference, also shared his daily food intake, which consisted of hearty portions at times.
The club prepare breakfast and lunch so the diet is very controlled. I will have dinner at home.
I usually take fish, chicken, lasagna and spaghetti. Food is a very important aspect for me now.
His inclusion in the national team has raised eyebrows as he is deemed too young but Luqman is unfazed.
Im here for the experience. Ill just focus on working hard in training to impress the coach… for me age is not a factor as long as you can play good football.
Its also good that I can play and train with the seniors who are also my idols. I idolise all of them but if I had to pick one, Ill say Brendan Gan because of his character.
The team are getting ready for the World Cup-Asian Cup qualifiers which will be played in the United Arab Emirates.
Malaysia will take on UAE (June 3) followed by Vietnam (June 11) and Thailand four days later.
Malaysia are second in Group G with nine points from three wins after five games, behind leaders Vietnam on 11. Indonesia propped up the group.