When football players take the pitch with the mask on Protective masks serve to return as soon as possible and at the same time have become cult objects

Disguise has always been a classic carnival tradition, but in particular situations even football players have needed to take the field wearing and showing off a mask and not to celebrate Mardi Gras. Not to be confused with the masks we live with because of the pandemic, but they are an accessory that looks much more like the one worn on the face by Zorro to protect his true identity. In the world of football, the function of these masks is to protect players after they have suffered a bruised face, have surgeries to fix a fracture and then want to get back on the field as soon as possible to help their team. 

Modern devices are much less obtrusive than those of the past that clearly disrupted the performance of the players wearing them. They were huge, heavy, did not allow an optimal view of the field and were also very ugly to the eye. Today, on the other hand, the new protective masks are made of carbon fiber, very light, small and made and printed to measure for the player's face. Thanks to these new tools, those who find themselves embroiled in a nasty facial injury don't have to wait too long before they can return to the playing field, but look like a superhero looking for revenge. Over the years, there have been several footballers forced to wear these masks that are now customized for the occasion.

The double mask of Osimhen 

Fracture of the nasal septum for Mandzukic as well, during the 2014 match between Atletico Madrid and Olympiacos. An injury, however, that in its own way made history since the Croatian was the first footballer to use a carbon fiber mask from the company Podoactiva, which until now only produced materials for the air force. The device was made in such a way that, even if damaged, it would not create splinters that could endanger the safety of the wearer. Mandzukic's mask, specifically, was customized with the Colchoneros shield on his forehead, the letters "MM" - the Croatian's initials - and the numbers 9 and 17.