Karim Benzema: This is why he's been playing with a bandage on his hand for over 3 years

Karim Benzema has been spectacular with Real Madrid since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and he continues to impress observers.

Benzema and his bandaged right hand

In the 2021-22 season, the striker has scored 27 times in 32 matches. And in the Champions League, which he just won against Liverpool, he finished top scorer in the competition with 15 goals. These are crazy statistics that allowed him to be crowned Ballon d'Or winner, and that would almost make you forget that he has been playing with a hand injury for almost three years.

An injury that dates back to 2019

In case you haven't noticed, Benzema is indeed playing with a bandage on his right hand with Real Madrid. He has been wearing this strap since 2019 when he sustained an injury on 13 January against Real Betis,as reported by The Sun. The former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo fractured his little finger when he fell to the ground after making contact with defender Marc Bartra. The Frenchman was immediately replaced.

But rather than not playing afterwards, Benzema chose to return to the field quickly with a bandage consisting of a splint to hold his little finger. This didn't seem to handicap him in terms of his performance.

But why is he still wearing it three years after the injury? He waited until the end of the 2018-19 season to have surgery, however rushed back into playing too soon and hurt his finger again. It seems another operation is necessary but Benzema does not consider this an option, so he chooses to continue using his bandage so as not to abandon his teammates on the pitch. He said in a press conference before a 2021 Champions League group game:

I did have an operation, but when you have surgery, you have to be out for two months.

I've hurt [the finger] again, but I don't have time to stop and have another operation, so I wear the bandage when I'm playing.

And well done to him! The new Ballon d'Or winner has never looked as good as he does lately.

This article has been translated from Gentside FR.

Sources:

- The New York Times: 'Benzema Wins Ballon d’Or After Years of Waiting His Turn'

- The Sun: 'Why does Karim Benzema wrap a bandage around his hand?'

Read more:

⋙ Top 20 footballers that you didn't know smoked

⋙ Football fans to be allowed to buy beer at the Qatar World Cup, but here’s the catch

⋙ Footballers with the highest salaries in the UK