Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about the horrifying facial injury he sustained in a 2021 Serie A match against Inter Milan, describing it as a near-death experience.
Speaking during a candid interview with Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, Osimhen recalled the brutal collision that took place at the San Siro stadium, where a clash of heads with Inter defender Milan Škriniar left him with multiple facial fractures.
“It was a game against Inter Milan in San Siro,” Osimhen said. “My teammates crossed the ball, so I wanted to head the ball and the guy was bringing his own head and hit my face. All the bones on my face were broken.”
The impact knocked the Nigerian striker unconscious momentarily. “I was seeing blank until their goalkeeper touched me — that was when I knew I was alive. It was a near-death injury,” he added.
Osimhen was rushed to the hospital and later underwent surgery to repair fractures to his cheekbone and eye socket. However, he initially resisted the idea of surgery due to fears of facial disfigurement.
“I asked our team doctor when I would play again. I never knew the injury was that bad. Then, they did an X-ray… The doctor came and said I had to do surgery, as quickly as possible. I said I am not doing surgery. I cannot allow you to cut my face,” Osimhen recalled.
The doctors eventually performed the operation through his jaw, which meant the striker could not eat normally for a period of time. To ensure his safety upon return, he was advised to wear a protective mask — a precaution he still takes seriously to this day.
“It was recommended and the doctor said, left for him he will keep on wearing it till he’s done. So I asked him what’s the risk and he said, ‘if you get the same hit again, you’re done,’” Osimhen revealed.
Reflecting on the severity of the incident, he said, “There are worse injuries in football but I could have lost my eyes. That’s the reason why I put on the mask, so I can jump and head.”
Osimhen has since returned to action and remains one of the most prolific strikers in European football, but his mask continues to serve as a reminder of how close he came to a life-altering injury.
