Why I still wear protective mask four years after facial injury – Osimhen

Why I still wear protective mask four years after facial injury – Osimhen

Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has opened up about the lasting impact of the severe facial injury he sustained in 2021, revealing why he continues to wear a protective mask on the pitch four years later.

In a recent discussion with MMA champion Kerim Engizek, the 26-year-old striker explained that nerve damage from the injury still affects his ability to eat. “Now, I only eat on the right side of my face. I can’t eat through the other side. The left side doesn’t function properly anymore,” he said.

Osimhen suffered the injury in November 2021 during a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan, following a collision with Milan Škriniar. The accident left him with multiple facial fractures, including a broken cheekbone and eye socket, requiring 18 screws and a titanium plate during reconstructive surgery. Doctors initially feared he could lose vision in his left eye.

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Recalling the incident, Osimhen said, “A cross came in from the wing. I went up for the header, and he pulled his head back. It wasn’t intentional, but I hit his skull with my chin and the bone shattered everywhere. They took me to a hospital in Milan… I refused surgery at first, but it was the only way to continue playing football.”

Despite recovering, he continues to experience numbness and limited movement on the left side of his face. “I still feel numbness and sometimes pain. When I smile, only one side of my mouth moves fully. Eating is the biggest daily reminder; food falls out if I try to use the left side,” he added.

Currently at Galatasaray, after his move from Napoli, Osimhen has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 15 appearances across competitions this season. The protective mask, originally prescribed after surgery, remains part of his kit due to the long-term effects of the injury.

 

Why I still wear protective mask four years after facial injury – Osimhen