Vincent Kompany has posted a video on Facebook saying he was touched and surprised by the support of fans during the injury problems which ruled him out for more than three months.
The Manchester City captain started his first game since Nov. 8 on Sunday in the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after suffering from a recurring calf problem.
Kompany, 29, had a setback on Dec. 26 when he limped off nine minutes into a comeback in a victory over Sunderland.
He posted a message after the game saying: "Today was a bad day for me. My body feels invincible -- the best it's ever been -- but i'm challenged by a number of small and local injuries. It leaves me more frustrated than with any of the 'big' injuries I've had but it's a challenge that I will overcome."
Now the Belgium international has posted a video thanking fans for their support.
"Back in December, I let you guys know through Facebook that I was a little bit affected by the setback I had at the time," he said. "But never in a million years did I expect or predict the amount of support, the kind of support I would get from you guys. And it really touched me.
"So when I did make the promise and said I was going to give everything to come back, I promised myself that after my first 90 minutes back, I would send you guys a message, irrespective of the result, irrespective of the games we have to play in the future.
"I promised myself that after my first 90 minutes, I would send you guys a message to say thank you and how much it meant to me."