Super Eagles striker and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has opened up about the long-term impact of the serious facial injury he suffered in 2021, revealing that he still struggles to eat properly four years after the incident.

In a video shared on X on Tuesday by user 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍, Osimhen told Turkish outlet Fanatik that lingering nerve damage has permanently affected the left side of his face.

“Now, I only eat on the right side of my face,” the 26-year-old said. “I can’t eat through the other side. The left side doesn’t function properly anymore.”

Osimhen sustained the horrific injury in November 2021 during a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan, following a violent collision with defender Milan Škriniar.

The impact left him with multiple facial fractures — including a broken cheekbone and eye socket — requiring major reconstructive surgery involving 18 screws and a titanium plate. Doctors even feared he could lose vision in his left eye.

Despite eventually returning to action, Osimhen revealed that the aftermath has been lifelong.

“I still feel numbness and sometimes pain,” he said. “When I smile, only one side of my mouth moves fully. Eating is the biggest daily reminder; food falls out if I try to use the left side.”

He recalled the incident vividly:

“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.
They checked with X-ray and then an MRI. The doctor said I needed surgery. I refused at first, but it was the only way to continue playing football.”

Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, has been in fine form this season, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.

He continues to wear his trademark protective mask — once a temporary measure — now a permanent part of his career due to the lasting effects of the injury.