KUALA LUMPUR: The message from the Welsh wizard to Malaysian footballers: "Size isn't everything, being small is not a barrier."

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, who was never the biggest or strongest in the English Premier League, feels that Southeast Asian players can also excel at world level.

"Don't forget who you are and where you come from. Show your personality on the pitch," said Giggs who is in town to promote the Maybank Challenge Cup, which will see Manchester United play the Asean All-Stars at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on May 28.

Giggs, 52, who sees untapped potential in this region, said it is not physicality, but character that sets great players apart from others.