Ayomide Olaniyan
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, now playing for Galatasaray, has revealed the lasting consequences of his career-threatening facial injury from 2021, clarifying why he continues to wear his signature protective mask even today.
In an emotional interview with Turkish sports outlet Fanatik, later shared on social media by user AsakyGRN, the 26-year-old detailed how nerve damage permanently altered his daily life.
“Chewing is now one-sided—my left jaw barely functions,” Osimhen admitted. “It’s become an involuntary habit to avoid that side entirely when eating.”
The horrific incident occurred during Napoli’s clash with Inter Milan in November 2021 when Osimhen collided with defender Milan Škriniar mid-air. The impact shattered multiple facial bones, requiring emergency reconstructive surgery involving 18 surgical screws and a titanium plate. At one point, medical staff worried he might lose vision in his left eye.
Though he returned to the pitch months later, Osimhen disclosed lingering struggles: partial facial paralysis, intermittent numbness, and chronic discomfort. “When that cross came in, I jumped for the header—next thing I knew, his skull smashed into my jaw,” he recounted. “The X-rays showed the damage was worse than I imagined. Surgery was non-negotiable, though I fought against it initially.”
His recovery came with permanent reminders. “Smiling feels uneven now,” Osimhen noted. “Food slips out if I accidentally chew on the left. The mask isn’t just protection—it’s part of my identity after everything.”
“Now, I Only Eat On The Right Side Of My Face; I Can’t Eat Through The Other Side.”
— Victor Osimhen Reveals Aftermath Of his Jaw Injury That Makes Him Use Mask. pic.twitter.com/XZ0o4DDyIs
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) November 25, 2025
The forward, thriving on loan at Galatasaray with 12 goals and five assists this season, emphasized that the mask remains medically necessary. What began as post-surgery protection has become a symbol of his resilience amid permanent physical changes.
