Bayer Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec earned a broken nose and a trip to hospital last weekend following a fight with two rowdy FC Koln fans in a Cologne nightclub.
In spite of his painful injury, the 27-year-old Czech is keen to play in this weekend's match with Hannover, and this will probably be possible after getting fitted for a natty new mask. Before the game, Kadlec will also have ample opportunity to roam the cellars beneath an opera house, maniacally planning to win the heart of a beautiful singer.
Sadly, the picture above is just a cast for the real mask, which will be manufactured from "seven layers of pure carbon" at a cost of €2,000 ($2,600). Bild say he'll need to wear the (inexplicably expensive) face protector for five weeks.
Kadlec will join the esteemed canon of football mask wearers that includes Michael Ballack, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Spider-Man fan Ivan Kaviedes.