JDT star Arif Aiman urges fans to avoid career speculation

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star winger Arif Aiman Hanapi has called on fans to refrain from making baseless assumptions about his career path, especially concerning his continued participation in the Malaysian League.

The 24-year-old player addressed the issue after a fan questioned his decision to remain with JDT despite consistent performances and frequent links to overseas clubs. Arif Aiman emphasized that the sacrifices and struggles involved in reaching his current level are often unknown to the public.

“

First of all, how do you know I am comfortable without pressure here? You don't know how much I struggled and sacrificed to reach this stage.

“You don’t know how hard I struggled and sacrificed to reach this stage,” Arif Aiman stated in a reply on the Threads platform. “Don’t make assumptions as if you know me. It wasn’t easy for me to get where I am now.” He highlighted that every success comes with challenges that are not always apparent to outsiders.

“

You don’t make assumptions as if you know me. It wasn’t easy for me to get where I am now.

Arif Aiman's remarks follow a strong performance in the 2025-2026 season with JDT. After a lengthy recovery from injury, the national player returned late in the season, significantly contributing to Harimau Selatan's Malaysia Cup triumph in May. His return boosted JDT's performance and signals a positive outlook for the upcoming season.

With his fitness improving and injury concerns behind him, Arif Aiman is poised to lead JDT's attack once more, aiming to maintain the club's dominance domestically and in Asia. His current form also opens the door for a return to the national team for the upcoming ASEAN Cup.

“

We sometimes need to think before we speak because you don’t know how difficult it was for me to rise from the bottom to this level. There are many challenges you don’t know.