Victor Osimhen: Napoli Striker Opens Up on Horror Face Injury That Left Him Wearing Mask

• Napoli striker Victor Osimhen suffered a horror head injury in November 2021
• The striker had fractured his face and eye socket after colliding with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar
• It forced him to miss AFCON 2022 and he has been wearing a mask since

Victor Osimhen suffered a horrific head injury and a fractured skull and eye socket in Napoli's 3-2 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro on November 21, 2021.

He underwent immediate surgery and had six plaques and 24 screws attached to his face and was forced to miss the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

He has been wearing a protective mask ever since. It has become a trademark for the 24-year-old, who has scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 23 league games for Partenopei, according to Football Italia.

Osimhen explains face injury

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The surgeon who operated on the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner claimed he could have lost his sight, but the orbital bone stopped just in time, as reported by Radio CRC.

He has returned as a dominant force since getting the mask and is leading Napoli's charge for their first Serie A title since 1990. He opened up on his experiences in an interview with France Football.

“The club handled everything perfectly. Honestly, when Skriniar hit me, it was as if I had received a blow to the head. Ten minutes later I got up, they checked me and then took me straight to hospital,” he said.

“The surgeon was surprised, he said: ‘How can you stand up?’ The first thing I said to the doctors was: ‘What is it? Is it something serious? When will I play again?’ I think they really thought I was crazy at that moment!

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“When they explained everything to me, I was practically morally destroyed. I told the doctor that I didn’t want surgery, but he explained that there was no other choice: my face had to be reconstructed. It was not an easy operation, they went from the mouth to the bone.

“I take this opportunity to thank all the doctors. They did an exceptional job. They are the ones who then created the mask. The side of the mask that protects the operated part is hard. If someone hits it, it hurts. Honestly, I’m not afraid anymore.”

Osimhen gives positive injury update

Sports Brief reported that Osimhen assured Napoli fans that his injury is not too severe and he would be back soon. He suffered a muscle injury during the international break.

In the same adventure, he misplaced his face mask. He returned to Naples before discovering he did not travel back from Nigeria with it.