Why does Galatasaray’s Osimhen wear a mask?

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen wears a protective mask after he sustained a serious facial injury in a match while playing for Napoli in 2021.

The Nigerian clashed heads with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and sustained fractures to both his cheekbone and eye socket.

Osimhen required surgery and spent three months on the sidelines, with Napoli saying in a statement “titanium plates and 18 screws were used in the operation”.

Medics advised Osimhen to wear a protective mask when he returned to playing.

While most players only wear a mask during the rehabilitation process, the striker – now playing in Turkey – says he still needs to wear the headgear for protection.

“I have two screws that pass through my jaw into my mouth,” he said in 2024. “It is really too dangerous for me, so I have to keep on using it.”

The mask has become Osimhen’s trademark and his daughter has been seen wearing a replica to his matches.

It is not uncommon for footballers to wear a mask after suffering a facial injury – with Kylian Mbappe forced to wear one after breaking his nose at Euro 2024.

Mbappe complained about its restrictive nature, saying his was “an absolute horror” because “it limits your vision, the sweat gets trapped”.

A number of players, such as Manchester City’s Phil Foden, wear bandages on their hand and wrist for added support years after suffering an injury.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.