Napoli doctor Roberto Ruggiero has explained why Napoli forward Victor Osimhen still wears a protective mask over a year after recovering from a head injury.
The Nigeria international sustained an eye socket injury during a Serie A match against Inter on November 22, 2021.
The injury forced Osimhen to undergo surgery and he was sidelined for three months as a result of the facial problem.
Osimhem returned to action on January 17, 2022 and has been sporting a protective face mask ever since.
"Osimhen is perfectly healed, he's still wearing the protective mask because it gives him a sense of security, but he's healed," Ruggiero told Radio Marte late last season.
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"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.”
Despite the injury, Osimhen ended up making 32 appearances overall for Napoli in 2021-22, scoring 18 goals in all competitions.
He has build on that number this term as he has led Napoli to top spot in Serie A with a string of impressive performances, while also reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The prolific attacker has already bettered last term's tally and is the favourite to lift the prestigious Serie A Capocanonniere trophy, holding a comfortable lead over Inter's Lautaro Martinez.