It’s been over two years since Victor Osimhen first donned his signature mask on the pitch.
Since then, Osimhen’s Batman-esque look has become an integral part of his identity, inspiring fans and kids to emulate his style. Replicas of his now-famous mask are even sold online, fetching prices as high as €10 on eBay.
However, the mask is far from just a fashion statement. Victor Osimhen began wearing it out of necessity, following medical advice after suffering an eye socket injury in November 2021 during a Serie A clash with Inter Milan’s Milan Škriniar.
After undergoing surgery and spending three months on the sidelines, Osimhen returned to action with the mask for protection—a feature that has since become synonymous with his image.
Why Victor Osimhen still wears a mask after his head injury
Despite fully recovering from the head injury he sustained two and a half years ago, Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen continues to wear a protective mask during matches for both club and country.
This, however, has not hindered his prolific goal-scoring form. In the 2022/23 season, Osimhen found the net 33 times, playing a pivotal role in Napoli’s Serie A triumph. He followed up that stellar campaign with another impressive tally of 17 goals across all competitions last season.
Napoli’s doctor, Roberto Ruggiero, offered insight into Osimhen’s continued use of the mask, stating that while the striker has fully recovered from his facial injury, the mask provides him with a sense of security on the pitch.
“Osimhen is perfectly healed, he's still wearing the protective mask because it gives him a sense of security, but he's healed,” the orthopedist told Radio Marte.
“He has his own balance and wants to wear it. Hopefully, this mask will be enough until he feels safe and takes it off. Not before then. I have still seen for a check, but as soon as he returns, we will have intense work to do.”
Will Osimhen ever take off his mask?
Meanwhile, Osimhen himself has revealed that six plaques and 18 screws were inserted into his face following surgery.
When asked about his continued use of the protective mask during the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast, the former Lille striker explained that removing it poses a significant risk. He also suggested that he may wear the mask for the remainder of his career.
“I have to wear the mask for the rest of my career because I have screws that actually pass through my jaws and face. I still have them till now. It is really dangerous for me to play without using the mask,” he told Brila FM in January.
Based on this, it is obvious that, for Victor Osimhen, taking off the mask while on the pitch is unlikely.
Could Victor Osimhen's mask be banned?
That said, Osimhen’s continued use of the mask may not be purely a matter of preference. During his debut for reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray, he was involved in an aerial duel with Çaykur Rizespor defender Khusniddin Alikulov, which saw the Uzbekistan international forced off injured.
Rumours initially suggested that Alikulov had suffered a facial fracture that could sideline him for a significant part of the league campaign. However, it was later confirmed to be only a concussion.
The incident has, however, sparked a conversation as to the safety of Osimhen's protective mask.
Whether or not this incident could lead to an outright ban of the mask remains to be seen.
