SUPER Eagles striker and Napoli FC star, Victor Osimhen, has disclosed that a near-death experience, which resulted to a life-threatening facial injury he sustained during a 2021 Serie A match between Napoli and Inter Milan is the reason he wears a face shield.
Osimhen, in an interview, recently, recounted: “It was a game against Inter Milan in San Siro. 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.
“I was seeing blank until their goalkeeper touched me, that was when I knew I was alive. It was a near-death injury.
“After about ten minutes on the floor, I stood and was taken directly to the hospital. 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.’ He said no, they will go through my jaw and I cannot eat there for the rest of my life.
“It was recommended and the doctor said, left for him, he will keep on wearing it (the mask) 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.’
“There are worst 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.”
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