'I could have lost my eyes' - Osimhen shares chilling account of career-threatening injury

Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has revealed details of the horrific facial injury he suffered during a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan in 2021, an incident that nearly ended his career — and could have cost him his sight.

Speaking in a candid interview with Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, the Napoli striker recounted the terrifying moment at the San Siro that led to multiple facial fractures and a long road to recovery.

"It was a game against Inter Milan in San Siro," Osimhen recalled. "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 collision with then Inter Milan defender Milan Škriniar left Osimhen with severe fractures to his cheekbone and eye socket, requiring urgent surgery.

The injury forced him out of action for weeks and has since seen him wear a protective face mask during matches — a constant reminder of that life-threatening moment.

"I was seeing blank until their goalkeeper touched me - that was when I knew I was alive. It was a near-death injury," he said. 

"After about ten minutes on the floor, I stood and was taken directly to the hospital."

Despite the seriousness of the injury, Osimhen initially resisted surgery.

"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,” Osimhen explained.

The Nigerian international revealed that wearing the mask was a medical recommendation, advised by doctors to protect him from the risk of suffering a similar injury in the future.

"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."

Osimhen, who has adapted to football with the mask that has become a hallmark of his on-field identity, described the injury as one of the worst in the sport, admitting it could have cost him his eyesight.

"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."

The Nigerian forward, who joined Napoli from Lille in 2020, has since become one of the most feared strikers in European football, helping the club win their first Serie A title in over three decades in 2023.

With the 2025 summer transfer window in full swing, Osimhen is once again attracting interest from Europe’s elite, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, and Galatasaray.

Whether he remains in Turkey or takes on a new challenge, the striker will be hoping to secure a transfer and carry his form into the upcoming 2025/2026 campaign.

Adeyemi Adewale

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