Brentford star Yoane Wissa has opened up about the harrowing experience of allegedly having acid thrown in his face, sharing how the attack left him fearing he could have been blinded for life.
The 28-year-old, who holds the record for Brentford's most Premier League goals, has lived with trauma and fear ever since the shocking incident.
A 36-year-old woman, identified only as Laetitia P., is currently on trial in France for allegedly attacking Wissa at his home in July 2021, just days before his £8.5million transfer from Lorient to Brentford.
In addition to the alleged acid attack, Laetitia P. faces accusations of attempting to kidnap Wissa's infant daughter and abducting another woman's baby the following day. If found guilty, she could face up to 30 years in prison.
During an emotional testimony at the court in Vannes, Brittany, Wissa recounted the terrifying events. He explained that he allowed the woman into his Lorient apartment after she had visited earlier seeking an autograph.
According to The Sun, he said: 'I opened a door and had liquid thrown in my face. I screamed and could not breathe.
'My wife called the emergency services, and they told me to get under the shower to rinse my eyes. At the hospital, they told me my eyes were burned. Someone had to come and rinse them out every hour.
'It has been a nightmare. Since then, I panic every time I hear a noise, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing my children are safe.
'I had surgery on both eyes, and the doctor told me I will need to use eye drops for the rest of my life. It took me six months before I fully got my sight back.
'Had I not been treated so quickly, the consequences would have been far worse.'
Wissa described the days following the attack as deeply traumatic. He recognized the accused immediately, recalling that she was wearing sunglasses at 11pm.
'I want justice,' he said. 'Why has this happened to me? My wife and I will suffer the after-effects for the rest of our lives.
'This hugely delayed my move to Brentford. I missed their pre-season, and when I arrived, the manager [Thomas Frank] said he had already drawn up his first team.'
Despite support from Brentford's manager, Wissa admitted he struggled to adapt after the attack. 'I reacted like a father more than a footballer, and told myself at least my kids are unharmed even though I am blind,' he said.
The attack has had lasting emotional and psychological impacts. 'Since that time I have become withdrawn. I can no longer tolerate being around people I don't know.
'I don't now express as much love as I used to, and when I'm walking, I instinctively look behind me. And at night, I can no longer get to sleep if I am by myself. My kids often ask me what I have done to my face, but they are too young for me to tell them what happened.
'I have been offered an operation, but I have refused, as this is part of my personal history. My wife and I have to see a psychologist, and she suffered depression.'
Wissa revealed the couple married shortly after the incident, saying, 'You never know what fate holds in store for you.'
The trial is ongoing.
