KUALA LUMPUR: Faisal Halim has revealed that words of encouragement from national football coach Kim Pan Gon has given him added motivation to put his boots back on.
Faisal said that the South Korean coach urged him to not quit the sport when the latter visited him earlier this month.
"Pan Gon visited me and said that he hopes I will not quit playing football. He is hoping that he will not lose me," said Faisal during a special press conference in Shah Alam yesterday.
"He wants to see me come back (to the pitch). He does not want to see me fall, he does not want me to stop playing football."
Faisal added that he is keen to return to training but is aware that he must complete his recovery process first.
"If possible I want to return to playing within a month, however, the medical officials have informed me that it will take at least three to six months (recovery process)," he said.
"Throughout my career, I have never taken a break for longer than a month.
"Especially over the last two years where I have been busy with my club and the national team, I have not been able to rest much.
"I have never taken sick leave, even when I had fever and headaches. I was focused on my tasks on the pitch."
Faisal suffered serious injuries in an acid attack in Damansara on May 5.
He has undergone four operations since then and was discharged from hospital on May 25.
The press conference was Faisal's first public appearance since the incident happened.