How Zeem Ahmad Popularized Freestyle Football in Malaysia

A Malaysian Freestyle Football Star with Global Dreams

If you were a ‘90s kid, you probably remember the magic of waking up early (or staying up way too late) just to catch the World Cup or Olympics on TV. Back then, footballers like Ronaldinho and Beckham were more than athletes – they were icons, just as famous as the biggest movie stars or chart-topping singers.

For Hazim “Zeem” Ahmad, watching Ronaldinho juggle a football in iconic Pepsi ads sparked a lifelong obsession – one that would eventually take him from Malaysia’s neighbourhood futsal courts to the global freestyle football stage.

Today, Zeem is more than just a performer. He’s a Red Bull athlete, an international competitor, and the founder of Zeem Academy – Malaysia’s first freestyle football school.

Zeem Ahmad’s Freestyle Football Journey

Zeem first kicked off his passion for freestyle at just 8 years old. But it wasn’t until he crossed paths with Mohd Shuhaimi Mohd Khizari – better known as Dr. Freestyler – that his dream really took flight.

“The first time we met, he called out for anyone to show off their skills. My brother and I jumped in, and that moment changed everything,” Zeem shares.

Key milestones in Zeem’s early career:

2008: Started performing nationwide with Dr. Freestyler.
2010: Returned to freestyle after a short break, now aiming to compete.
2011: Entered his first local competition.
2016: Represented Malaysia at the World Street Soccer Championship in Denmark.

Though he calls himself part of the sport’s “third generation” in Malaysia, Zeem’s international success and dedication have helped redefine what’s possible for local athletes.

What Is Freestyle Football, Really?

In Malaysia, freestyle football breaks into two major categories:

Freestyle: A performance-based sport focused on juggling, tricks, and creativity in 30-second battles.
Panna (Street Football): 1v1 matches where scoring through the opponent’s legs (an ‘ole’) instantly wins the game.

Zeem is a rare hybrid – skilled in both disciplines. But when asked if freestyle is more of an art or a sport, he doesn’t hesitate:

“It’s both. For me, it’s an art – I watch dance videos for inspiration. But it’s also a sport that pushes your body and mind to the limit.”

How Zeem Became a Red Bull Athlete

Zeem had a vision: to join the global ranks of Red Bull athletes, just like his idol, Séan Garnier.

From his first DM from Red Bull Malaysia in 2014 to his official signing in 2023, it was a journey nearly a decade in the making.

“I even dreamed about it and woke up crying. That’s how much I wanted it.”

The key turning points:

2016: Invited to compete in Denmark as one of the world’s top freestylers.
2022: Handpicked by Neymar Jr. to play in the Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five tournament in Qatar.
2023: Officially signed by Red Bull – the only Malaysian freestyle football athlete on their roster.

Now, he’s using this platform to raise the profile of freestyle and street football in Malaysia – and inspire the next wave of talent.

Zeem Academy: Building the Future of Freestyle Football

Like many athletes during the 2021 lockdowns, Zeem began thinking about his legacy. That’s when he launched Zeem Academy, a grassroots initiative to train Malaysia’s next-gen freestylers.

“I want to start from primary school level. If we develop talent early, we can shift how people see freestyle – not just as a hobby, but a real sport.”

What Zeem Academy offers:

Hands-on coaching from professional freestylers.
A lifestyle-driven approach to football culture.
Opportunities for young athletes to perform and compete locally and internationally.

Zeem hopes to expand into a full sports hub for freestyle, BMX, skateboarding, and street sports – building Malaysia’s next pool of elite athletes.