Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has opened up about the long term effects of the serious facial injury he suffered in 2021, explaining why he still wears a protective mask four years after the incident.
Speaking in a recent conversation with MMA champion Kerim Engizek, the 26 year old said nerve damage from the injury continues to affect his daily life, especially when eating.
According to Osimhen, the impact of the collision left the left side of his face with limited function. “Now I only eat on the right side of my face,” he said, adding that he is unable to chew properly on the left side because it “doesn’t function properly anymore.” The injury occurred in November 2021 during a Serie A match between Napoli and Inter Milan after he collided with Milan Škriniar while contesting a header.
The accident resulted in multiple facial fractures, including injuries to his cheekbone and eye socket, leading to reconstructive surgery that required 18 screws and a titanium plate. Doctors initially feared he might lose vision in his left eye, but although he recovered, he continues to feel numbness and limited movement on the left side of his face.
Recalling the moment it happened, 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.” He explained that after X rays and an MRI in a Milan hospital, doctors told him he needed surgery. At first, he refused, saying, “There’s no way I’m having surgery,” but he eventually agreed because it was necessary for him to continue playing football.
Osimhen added that the effects of the injury still trouble him today. “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 said. These challenges have made the protective mask a permanent part of his equipment.
Now playing for Galatasaray after leaving Napoli, Osimhen has continued to perform strongly, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 15 matches this season. Despite his good form, the lasting impact of the injury remains a constant part of his everyday life both on and off the pitch.
