Nigeria international and prolific Napoli forward Victor Osimhen nearly lost his eye at Napoli in 2021.
A high-profile Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Napoli which almost ended Osimhen’s career took place at San Siro on 21 November 2022.
It was just few games into the season, but the Serie A title race was already shaping up with both sides bent on grabbing all three points in the blockbuster clash.
Napoli first opened the scoring early in the first half with Zielinski on the scoresheet. Calhanoglu responded with an equaliser, coverting a 25th-minute penalty to balance the scores.
Inter made it 3-1 after crossing the hour mark before Napoli put one back and settled for a 3-2 defeat after the final whistle.
The game was a double jeopardy for Napoli as Victor Osimhen nearly lost his eye after a horror face injury in the game.
Osimhen picked up a career-threatenig injury in the game to compound the woes of Napoli, who dropped three points against the Serie A rivals.
Fast forward to the 2022/23 season, Victor Osimhen has been a revelation for Napoli as the club aims for their first Serie A title in over three decades.
Osimhen has banged in goals week-in and week-out for Napoli and has helped the team make a statement on the 2022/23 Serie A title race.
The Chelsea and Manchester United target has bagged 24 goals for Napoli so far this season and has been in his best scoring streak for the club.
Manchester United are reportedly ready to break the bank and lodged a mega £107m offer for the Nigeria international following his brilliant run with Napoli this season.
Chelsea are equally interested in bringing the 24-year-old to Stamford Bridge, with Liverpool also indicating interest in signing the striker.
Obviously, Osimhen is Napoli’s engine-room in their bid to break the 33-year-old Serie A jinx.
However, the Serie A giants would have nearly lost the Nigeria international to the excruciating injury that would have spell doom for his football career.
Victor Osimhen escaped “sight loss” on a knife edge. He nearly lost his vision in the horrific and terrible injury during the Inter game at the San Siro.
Now, he is the most in-demand forward in Europe and on the transfer radar of top English clubs.
Osimhen collided with Skriniar in an attempt to challenge for the ball, and was left bloodied after the terrific incident.
The collision leads to multiple fractures on his face and he had to undergo surgery to repair his orbital and cheekbone which were broken in the process.
The severity of the injury made artificial improvisation necessary for speedy recovery. 18 crews and 6 plagues were used in his face due to the extent of bone fractures.
After the injury, Victor Osimhen spent 2 months on the sidelines before recovering and returning to his game. He had to use protective cover during games after the injury.
Speaking with Radio Corriere Dello Sport, the Surgeon who operated Osimhen, Professor Gianpaolo Tartaro, said the Nigeria international was on the verge of losing his sight in the gruesome Injury.
Tartaro also lauded the prolific form of the Napoli star despite using the protective gear.
This season, Victor Osimhen is leading the Serie A highest goal-scorer’s chart with 19 goals from 20 games.
He has delivered three assists and also secure two Champions League goals for the club.
Napoli is currently leading the Serie A table with 18 points after racking up 65 points from 24 games.
