PETALING JAYA: Manchester United players have wished Faisal Halim a speedy recovery after an acid attack on May 5 left the Selangor FC winger with fourth-degree burns.
In a video on Stadium Arena’s Instagram page, Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Alejandro Garnacho told the Harimau Malaya star to “stay strong” and “keep fighting”.
Onana, who was speaking on behalf of his teammates, acknowledged that Faisal and his family are going through some tough times after the incident left the 25-year-old in critical condition.
“We’ve heard what (has) happened. We feel for you (and) we are with you,” he said.
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Garnacho, who was seated next to Onana in the video, also called on the Penang-born Faisal to “stay strong”.
Police have arrested two suspects believed to have been involved in the acid attack on Faisal, who underwent a third surgery on Thursday afternoon.
Selangor FC board member Shahril Mokhtar told Bernama yesterday Faisal can now walk in his hospital room and is keen to return home.
Faisal, who is known as “Mickey”, gained international fame when his goal against South Korea at the Asian Cup in January was voted the Goal of the Tournament.
The attack on Faisal comes as Terengganu FC winger Akhyar Rashid was attacked by two robbers after returning home from training, and former national team and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) skipper Safiq Rahim had his car’s rear windscreen smashed.
All three incidents happened in the space of one week.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain has called on footballers who fear for their safety to lodge police reports, while the Football Association of Malaysia said players should consider hiring bodyguards.
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