Mask On - Which Footballers Have Played With A Mask?

Following his collision with Millwall goalie Liam Roberts, Jean-Phillipe Mateta is expected to return to playing soon but will be donning a face mask to help his injury recover. There is a common superstition amongst sports fans that a mask can somehow boost a players ability and temporarily make them better. With Crystal Palace fans hoping this will be the case for their star striker, here are some examples of players who’ve worn masks in the past…

Kylian Mbappe

One of the most recent cases of a top level footballer wearing a face mask is Kylian Mbappe during France’s Euro 2024 campaign, he first wore a mask with a tricolour theme symbolising the French Flag before later changing to wear solid black carbon fibre mask. The star was required to wear the mask after breaking his nose during Les Bleus’ 1-0 victory over Austria, their first game of the tournament.

🎭🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappe’s mask is ready. pic.twitter.com/f7XksZFfFF

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2024

Petr Cech

Arguably the most famous case of headgear in football, Premier League legend Petr Cech was required to wear his famous rugby-style protective gear for the remainder of his career after suffering a life-threatening head injury playing against Reading in 2006. The headgear became an iconic part of Cech’s legacy, becoming a key part of his image, many fans not being able to picture him playing without it.

John Terry

Another Chelsea legend who was required to wear a mask, captain John Terry donned a clear face mask after fracturing his cheekbone in a clash against Fulham in 2007. Terry suffered the injury in just the 3rd minute of the match and in his typical leadership style, somehow carried on until half time without receiving any kind of treatment!

Thread of players who has won the mask 👺 for Chelsea

John Terry - 2007 pic.twitter.com/fWLh4RKevr

— 𝕬𝖓𝖎𝖊𝖇𝖎𝖊𝖙 𝕻𝖎𝖚𝖘 (@aniethegreatest) September 6, 2022

Harry Kane

There really wasn’t a worse time for Harry Kane to break his nose in 2016, the injury came just a week before Spurs were set to face Arsenal at home in the North London Derby. After being mocked by the away fans for his new accessory, it came as no surprise when he ripped the mask off, taunting the Gooners after he put his side ahead in the second half.

Masked Harry Kane in the north London derby nine years ago will never get old 🚀

(via @spursofficial)pic.twitter.com/ziNGF0jlbD

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 5, 2025

Josko Gvardiol

After unfortunately colliding with teammate Willi Orban during a match for RB Leipzig, Gvardiol was forced into wearing a mask for Croatia’s 2022 World Cup run. The mask clearly had no effect on the centre-half as he helped his team reach back to back World Cup semi-finals, identifying himself as one of the best defenders of the tournament.

Joško Gvardiol. Only 20-years-old but playing like he’s been here for a hot minute. A defensive and ball playing masterclass. 95% pass accuracy. Nine clearances. Won possession eight times. Stopped an almost certain goal. Rocked a mask and became a superhero. pic.twitter.com/CoSPRrdxNg

— VERSUS (@vsrsus) December 1, 2022

Victor Osimhen

The Nigerian was made to wear a mask after an injury to his eye socket when playing for Napoli in late 2021. Whilst this injury was not life-threatening or permanent, Osimhen continues to wear this mask as he feels that he feels safer and at less risk when heading the ball as the injury has re-surfaces on occasion, causing bleeding from the striker's eye.

Son Heung-Min

Yet another player who wore a mask in the Qatar World Cup, Son had to wear a mask after fracturing an eye socket in Tottenham's Champions League clash vs Marseille following a collision with Chancel Mbemba. This wasn’t to stop South Korea’s skipper though as he masked up and captained his side in all four of their World Cup fixtures.

Heung-min Son ditched the mask in the first half 📸 pic.twitter.com/aLa8fQEAPK

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 1, 2023

Paul Gascoigne

After suffering an injury to his face in England's 1994 World Cup qualifier against Norway, Gazza had to play the rest of the game in a crudely fashioned face mask. Following this he had to play whilst donning the unsavoury accessory for the remainder of the 1992/93 season whilst he was playing for Lazio.