Galatasaray’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, may be required to play without his protective face mask during this weekend’s highly anticipated derby against rivals Fenerbahçe, led by Jose Mourinho.
The Turkish Super Lig clash is set to be one of the most critical matches of the season, as both teams compete for dominance in Turkey’s biggest football rivalry.
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray amid high expectations, has been wearing the mask since suffering a serious facial injury during his time at Napoli.
The injury occurred during a collision with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, leading to surgery that involved the insertion of six plates and 18 screws into his face.
The mask has since been a constant feature for the Nigerian striker, allowing him to continue his successful career.
However, recent reports from Turkey indicate that Fenerbahçe fans are pushing the Turkish Football Federation to ban Osimhen from wearing the mask.
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They argue that it poses a potential danger to other players, particularly following Galatasaray’s recent 4-1 win over Çaykur Rizespor, where Osimhen’s collision with Rizespor’s Khusniddin Alikulov resulted in a concussion for the latter.
Former Turkish referee Fırat Aydınus commented on the issue during a TV program, stating: “If what you wear on the field harms both your opponent’s and your own health, the referee can ask you to remove it.” Concerns have been raised about the mask’s metal components and whether they played a role in Alikulov’s injury.
Despite the controversy, Osimhen remains a key player for Galatasaray. The upcoming derby will be a major test of his influence on Turkish football. His previous encounters with Mourinho, who once managed AS Roma, have been impressive, with Osimhen scoring three goals in six appearances against Mourinho’s teams.
As the match approaches, Galatasaray fans are counting on Osimhen to lead them to victory, with or without his iconic mask.
This game could not only shape the early part of the season but also highlight Galatasaray’s potential to defend their Süper Lig title and compete on the European stage.
All eyes will be on Osimhen as he faces one of his toughest challenges yet — mask or no mask.
