“I Only Eat on the Right Side of My Face” — Victor Osimhen Opens Up on Long-Term Effects of His Facial Injury

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has revealed the lasting impact of the horrifying facial injury he suffered in 2021 — an incident that still affects his daily life and explains why he continues to wear a protective mask four years later.

In an interview with Turkish outlet Fanatik, the 26-year-old disclosed that the nerve damage from the collision has left one side of his face partially dysfunctional, affecting even basic activities like eating.

Osimhen sustained the injury in November 2021 during a Serie A clash when he collided with defender Milan Škriniar. The impact resulted in multiple fractures, including a broken cheekbone and eye socket, requiring extensive reconstructive surgery involving 18 screws and a titanium plate.

Sharing the painful details, Osimhen said: “Now, I only eat on the right side of my face. I can’t eat through the other side. The left side doesn’t function properly anymore.”

He recounted the moment of the collision: “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.”

Despite returning to football and maintaining his world-class performance levels, Osimhen admits the long-term effects are still with him daily. “I still feel numbness and sometimes pain. When I smile, only one side of my mouth moves fully. Eating is the biggest reminder; food falls out if I try to use the left side.”

Osimhen’s resilience has remained an inspiration to fans worldwide, but his revelation sheds new light on the physical challenges he continues to battle behind the scenes.