‘I was seeing blank’ – Super Eagles’ Osimhen recalls career-threatening injury

Photo Credit - Galatasaray.

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about a terrifying moment in his career after he revealed the extent of a facial injury he sustained during a Serie A clash that left him fearing he could lose his sight.

The Super Eagles star suffered the injury during a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan in 2021. He was forced from the field early in the second half during the clash at San Siro after suffering a sickening clash of heads with Inter defender Milan Skriniar.

"It was a game against Inter Milan in San Siro," Osimhen recounted during an interview with Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze. "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."

Osimhen continued: "I asked our team doctor when I would play again. I never knew the injury was that bad. Then, they did an X-ray, not even an MRI. 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 hit there for the rest of my life.”

On why he returned from the injury wearing a mask, Osimhen explained: "It was so bad. There are some injuries that when it is done, you just take them out and 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.”

While on loan at Galatasaray last season, Osimhen helped them to win the domestic double of the Turkish Süper Lig and Turkish Cup. He featured 30 times in the league, scoring 26 goals and providing five assists.