Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim, nicknamed “Mickey,” suffered fourth-degree burns on his neck, shoulder, hands, and chest in an acid attack at a shopping center outside Kuala Lumpur on May 5.
The well-liked 26-year-old underwent multiple surgeries to treat the severe burns to his skin, and on Thursday, he broke down in tears and announced that he would return to football in “one to two months.”
A distraught Faisal spoke to journalists for the first time after the ordeal, he said, “I hope to return to the pitch in the next one to two months, even though the doctor says it could take up to six months”.
He noted that he is willing to return to training when doctors give me the green light”.
The athlete was brought into the press conference by twelve powerful black-clad bodyguards. His cheeks and left side of his skull were covered in scars. He also seemed underweight and moved more slowly.
Faisal expressed hope that “I can soon be free and no need to hide,” but he could not explain his statement that “right now I am kept in a secret hideout” with his family.
“I miss playing football,” Faisal said.
Following the attack, two people were taken into custody, however they were later released without facing any charges. It’s unknown what motivated the attack.
Faisal was the target of a series of serious and well-publicized crimes in May that included four elite Malaysian football players. However, it is not thought that the incidences are related.
Faisal is a seasoned Malaysian international whose early-season equalizer against South Korea was chosen as the Asian Cup’s best goal.
On May 10, Malaysian football fans were expected to witness a prelim match between Faisal’s Selangor and Super League winners Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
