RIO DE JANEIRO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Former Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva is hopeful of returning to action in July as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The 31-year-old has not played since sustaining the injury in January but is walking again and aims to resume full training next month.
"I'm looking to return [to the pitch] in July," Rafael said in a conversation with fans on social media on Friday.
Rafael has made just five appearances for Botafogo since joining the Rio de Janeiro outfit on a free transfer last September.
The right-back made 170 appearances for Manchester United before joining Lyon in 2015 and then Basaksehir in 2020.
Botafogo, who were promoted from Brazil's Serie B last November, are currently 13th in the 20-team Serie A standings with five points from four matches so far. ■
