Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has opened up about the lasting impact of a severe facial injury he sustained in 2021, revealing why he continues to wear a protective mask four years later.
In a recent conversation 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,” Osimhen said. “I can’t eat through the other side. The left side doesn’t function properly anymore.”
The injury occurred in November 2021 during a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan, when Osimhen collided with Milan Škriniar. He suffered multiple facial fractures, including a broken cheekbone and eye socket, requiring 18 screws and a titanium plate during reconstructive surgery.
Doctors initially feared the worst for his left eye, but Osimhen recovered. However, he continues to experience numbness and limited movement on the left side of his face. Recalling the incident, he 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… The doctor said, ‘You need surgery.’ I refused at first — ‘There’s no way I’m having surgery.’ 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.”
Since joining Galatasaray from Napoli, Osimhen has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 15 appearances this season. The protective mask, originally prescribed after surgery, remains part of his kit due to the lasting effects of the injury.
