This is why Chelsea keeper Cech must continue to wear a helm
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This is why Chelsea keeper Cech must continue to wear a helmet
For Petr Cech, it is a constant reminder of the moment when Stephen Hunt's boot impacted with the side of the Chelsea keeper's head.
Pictured here are the MRI scans — published for the first time — which were taken before Cech underwent emergency brain surgery following the sickening collision with the Reading midfielder on October 14, 2006.
Cech, who will be in goal for Chelsea in Wednesday night's Champions League Final against Manchester United in Moscow, remembers nothing of the incident that kept him out of the game until the following January.
The Chelsea keeper, interviewed by Des Kelly on the BBC's Inside Sport programme, revealed: "It's the first time anyone has seen these.
"The pictures are pretty impressive because you can see the skull in detail as if you are holding it in your hand. You can see the metal plates hold the big part of the fracture in place.
"Two holes were made in the skull by the surgeon to lift the major piece of bone back into place as it was depressed inside from the impact.
"The little pieces around it were just broken so they put them back together and this will all fuse back together over the years. On the scan you can see where the bone ends. And either side of that there are just tissue fibres. They are strong enough to hold off some impact, but you never know. And that is why I wear the helmet to make sure it's not going to split again.
"When you hear that someone has a depressed skull you imagine a lot of things. But when you see it, it looks very different to how you might expect. It's still healing so I can feel how the muscles around the fracture are protecting the area and the whole area is stiff.
"When you touch it you can feel the metal plates. I still have things to do and they try to release the pressure on the side of the skull a little but it's fine."
Cech, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Tuesday, recently returned to the team after a training-ground accident with Tal Ben Haim that left him needing 50 stitches in an open facial wound.
The goalkeeper was told by medical staff he would be out for the season, but he made a magnificent recovery. Cech added: "I keep collecting scars. The clash in training tore my face open and when I saw the reaction of the other players, I knew it was serious.
"When I looked in the mirror, I was shocked. The bottom half of my face had come away. But the surgeon did a good job and it shows I haven't changed my style of play.
"When I need to dive in at people's feet, I only have one goal, to save the ball whatever it takes. The downside of football is injuries, but you cannot control that."