Faisal Halim’s hands tremble slightly as he recalls the day his life changed.
It was a routine afternoon at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara, a place filled with laughter, chatter, and the smell of food courts.
But in a single, horrifying instant, a stranger’s attack with acid left him scarred physically and shaken emotionally.
The burns were severe, lacing his face, neck, and shoulders. Simple movements became excruciating.
Even speaking was a challenge. For a man whose life had revolved around football, it felt like his world had stopped.
Yet, before the tragedy, Faisal had been flying high. At 26, he was Malaysia’s brightest footballing star, dazzling fans with his pace, skill, and creativity.
His defining goal against South Korea in the 2024 Asian Cup was still fresh in memory, a moment of genius that left defenders and goalkeepers flailing.
But after the attack, the ball was a stranger; for weeks, he could not even think about training.
Hospital walls became his world, and every day was a battle with pain, frustration, and the haunting images of the attack.
“Every moment, I would get flashbacks. It was very difficult, and I was mentally down; my morale was very low. Many things have changed. I cannot smile properly now. There were times when I considered not playing football anymore out of fear. But I received a lot of calls and messages every day,” he told the BBC in June 2025.
Recovery was grueling. Physical therapy tested his body; personal training tested his patience.
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Every movement was a reminder of what he had lost. But step by step, Faisal reclaimed his strength.
Three months later, he was back on the bench for Selangor in a semi-final, a moment he describes as “quietly victorious.”
The real triumph came months later. Faisal’s first goal post-recovery was electric: a hat-trick in a resounding win, with every strike a statement that he was not defeated.
The celebration, arms outstretched, voice lifted in triumph, felt like reclaiming more than just a game. It was reclaiming life itself.
Faisal’s return to the national team, his fearless runs down the wing, and his relentless drive on the ball have inspired not only fans but a nation that watched him endure and overcome.
Coaches speak of his “unbreakable spirit” and “ability to move people beyond the game.”
Now, Faisal’s focus is simple: family, football, and living each day with courage.
The malls can wait.
The crowds can wait. What matters is the pitch, the place where he proves, again and again, that he is more than a survivor; he is a fighter.
“I am not scared, but I just don’t want something like that to happen again. So, I don’t go out anymore. Once training is done, I go home to spend time with my son, my wife, and my family.”
FKA/AE
