Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema has continued to wear a bandage on his right hand when he takes to the pitch after a serious injury that he picked up in 2019.
The little finger on Benzema’s right hand was fractured after he collided with defender Marc Bartra in Madrid’s 2-1 La Liga win over Real Betis in January 2019.
Following the injury, the 35-year-old striker was advised to undergo surgery on his right hand and would have been sidelined for around two months after the treatment.
However, Benzema opted to postpone the treatment and made his eventual return for Madrid against Sevilla, with the Frenchman first spotted sporting the bandage on his hand.
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The former France international underwent successful surgery after the 2018-19 campaign, but Benzema rushed his rehabilitation in a bid to return for Madrid.
According to Marca, Benzema ‘received another blow’ to his hand after his return and the Madrid talisman ‘has worn a bandage ever since.’
It appears that the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has transformed the bandage into a lucky charm, with it becoming part of Benzema’s look for his celebrations.
Speaking ahead of a Champions League tie in October 2021, Benzema revealed that he did not have the time to stop playing and undergo another operation after he damaged his hand again.
“I did have an operation, but when you have surgery, you have to be out for two months,” he said at the time.
“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.”
Eagle-eyed fans spotted the extent of Benzema’s hand injury at the 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony after he scooped France Football’s prestigious prize.
The ex-France striker did not wear his trademark bandage on the night in Paris, with Benzema beating Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne in the race for the Ballon d’Or.
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Topics: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid, La Liga, Spain, Football
Adnan Riaz