Osimhen reveals permanent effects of facial injury

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about the long-term impact of the facial injury he sustained in 2021, shedding light on why he still wears his protective mask four years later. In a recent conversation with Turkish outlet Fanatik, the 26-year-old said the nerve damage from the incident continues to affect […]

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about the long-term impact of the facial injury he sustained in 2021, shedding light on why he still wears his protective mask four years later.

In a recent conversation with Turkish outlet Fanatik, the 26-year-old said the nerve damage from the incident continues to affect his daily life, particularly his ability to eat.

“Now, I only eat on the right side of my face,” he said. “I can’t eat through the other side. The left side doesn’t function properly anymore.”

Osimhen’s injury occurred in November 2021 during a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan, when he collided with defender Milan Škriniar. The impact left him with multiple facial fractures, including a broken cheekbone and eye socket, which required reconstructive surgery involving 18 screws and a titanium plate.

Medical professionals initially feared potential loss of vision in his left eye. Though he eventually returned to action, the forward has continued to struggle with numbness and reduced movement on the left side of his face.

Recalling what happened on the pitch, he shared: “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. First, they checked with X-ray, then they ordered an MRI. The doctor said, ‘You need surgery.’ I refused at first — ‘There’s no way I’m having surgery because they were going to tear my face. But it was the only way to continue playing football. I had no choice.”

He added, “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.”

Now on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, Osimhen has maintained strong form, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances across competitions this season. The protective mask, first prescribed after surgery, remains essential equipment due to the lingering effects of the injury.