'I miss football and my heart aches,' says acid-attack victim Faisal in first public appearance

Braveheart: Faisal Halim makes first public appearance. - Faihan Ghani/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Footballer Faisal Halim is determined to be back on the pitch with his teammates.

In a first public appearance since he became a victim of an acid attack more than a month ago, Faisal opened up during a press conference at the Selangor Football Training Centre on Thursday (June 13).

“I miss football, my legs are shaking and my heart aches,” said the Selangor player.

The 26-year-old striker is unsure when he will return to the pitch, although every nerve in his body is impatient to feel grass under his boots once again.

“The doctors have given me a minimum of three month for me to recover well enough so I can return to training," he said.

“But for me, my goal is to be back in a little over a month. I am recovering at a fast rate, maybe its everyone’s prayers that has helped me,” he said.

With everything that has happened to him, the only thing Faisal is grateful for is that he and his family are alright.

He however is still wondering why he had to be the victim of such a horrid attack, given that he is always in good spirits with everyone and has never disrespected anyone throughout his career.

“Everyone knows my character, I’ve never been arrogant with anyone regardless of who they are," he said.

“I greet everyone with a smile and I try to be happy always.

“But perhaps after this I need to change my ways and not be so friendly. Maybe I’ve been too good to people.

“Whatever it is, I just want to be healthy and play football,” he said.