Sports
Osimhen Opens Up on 2021 Facial Injury Affecting His Eating
Super Eagles and Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, has revealed that the facial injury he suffered in 2021 continues to impact his daily life, particularly affecting the way he eats. The 26-year-old striker shared his experience in a video posted on X on Tuesday, speaking to Turkish media outlet Fanatik.
“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 Nigerian international sustained the injury in November 2021 during a Serie A match between Napoli and Inter Milan following a collision with Milan Škriniar. He suffered multiple facial fractures, including a broken cheekbone and eye socket, which required 18 screws and a titanium plate during reconstructive surgery.
Doctors initially feared Osimhen could lose vision in his left eye. Although he recovered and returned to professional football, he revealed that numbness and limited movement on the left side of his face remain a daily challenge.
Recalling the incident, 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.
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.’ 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.”
Osimhen, now playing for Galatasaray after his transfer from Napoli, has recorded 12 goals and five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions this season. The protective mask, originally prescribed post-surgery, remains a critical part of his kit due to the lasting effects of the injury.
