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Faiq Bolkiah during his time at Chonburi FC. Photo by Instagram/@fjefrib |
Ratchaburi officially released the 28-year-old winger in July. Bolkiah rose to global prominence not for his performances on the field, but due to his wealthy family background.
As the nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, he is reported to possess a fortune of over US$20 billion, making him the world’s richest footballer, though he is not a direct heir to the throne, according to Daily Mail.
Bolkiah’s football journey began in the U.S., where he was born, before his family moved him to England for his education at Bradfield College in Berkshire. He successfully joined the English youth football system, spending time in the academies of Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester City.
Despite his promising potential, Bolkiah never secured a first-team appearance in England. In 2020, he moved to Portugal to join CS Marítimo, but played only eight matches for the club’s youth and B teams before departing less than a year later.
Bolkiah, who wants regular playing time, headed to Southeast Asia in 2021 and joined Chonburi FC to become the first Bruneian player to compete in Thai League 1. After about two years, he transferred to Ratchaburi in June 2023. Across a nearly five-year span in the Thai top flight, Bolkiah only had around 50 appearances.
While his professional football career has yet to reach expected heights, Bolkiah’s financial backing remains unparalleled in the sport. His father, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, is the younger brother of the Sultan. Driven primarily by the nation’s oil and gas revenues, the Bruneian royal family’s wealth reportedly reaches into the hundreds of billions, with Prince Jefri famously known for his massive luxury car collection.
International media frequently compare Bolkiah’s wealth to the highest-earning football superstars. Forbes estimates Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth at approximately $1.2 billion and Lionel Messi’s at around $1.1 billion. However, financial figures for Bolkiah are largely estimates based on his royal lineage rather than publicly confirmed personal assets.
Following his departure from Ratchaburi, it remains unclear which club the 28-year-old will join next as he looks for a new start in his career.