Osimhen’s admission before the derby: 'Skriniar could have ended my football career'
Ahead of the highly anticipated Fenerbahçe–Galatasaray derby on December 1, Victor Osimhen opened up about the incident that caused his now-iconic protective mask. Speaking during an interview with MMA fighter Kerim Engizek, the Nigerian striker made a striking admission about Milan Skriniar.
The story dates back to a Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter. During that match, Osimhen — then playing for Napoli — collided head-to-head with Inter defender Milan Skriniar. The violent impact led to multiple facial fractures for the Nigerian star, forcing him to wear a protective mask ever since.
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The clash occurred when Skriniar rose for an aerial ball and made heavy contact with Osimhen. The striker’s face was severely damaged, resulting in several broken bones. From that moment on, the mask became part of Osimhen’s identity on the pitch.
Now, years later, both players continue their careers in the Turkish Süper Lig. Reflecting on the 2021–22 Napoli–Inter match during his conversation with Engizek, Osimhen recalled the moment that changed his career:
“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,” Osimhen said.
“They took me to a hospital in Milan. First they checked with X-ray, then they ordered an MRI. The doctor said, ‘You need surgery.’ I refused at first — ‘There’s no way I’m having surgery.’ But it was the only way to continue playing football. I had no choice.”
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“I Wanted to React… But I Held Myself Back”
Osimhen also described how he controls his emotions during on-field disputes, recalling an incident from last season:
“We were playing a match here last season. A player hit me and elbowed me. I was on the ground and he started swearing. I got up and grabbed his shirt. I wanted to put my head on his forehead, but then I thought: ‘If you get a red card, you’ll put your team in a terrible situation.’”
A Special Gift for Kerim Engizek: “Solo Il Gala”
At the end of their meeting, Osimhen presented Engizek with a limited-edition “Solo Il Gala” box — a tribute to Galatasaray:
“We call it ‘Solo Il Gala,’ meaning only Galatasaray. It has my signature and my mask on it. It’s limited edition and features the Gala emblem. You’re a champion, and I’m a champion. I present this to you on behalf of myself and my family.”
