Karim Benzema is widely recognized as one of the greatest strikers in the history of football, and his impressive accomplishments speak for themselves. In the first half of 2022, he played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's success, helping lead the team to victory in both the La Liga and Champions League competitions. Additionally, he finished the season as the top scorer in both tournaments.
Between all competitions in 2021 and 2022, the French striker scored a total of 44 goals in 46 matches. Even though he has yet to attain such a goal for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he remains a striking force to be assessed.
Several questions and assumptions have been flying around about why the iconic player wears a bandage on his hand, which he has been wearing for over three years. Well, the French football striker is wearing the bandage for health reasons.
Earlier in 2019, Benzema broke his right pinky finger during a La Liga match when he collided with Marc Bartra, a Real Betis defender, while the match was going on. The injury required surgery and medical professionals told Benzema to take two months off the field and go to rehab to regain his strength before returning to the field. However, Benzema told the medical practitioners to scrap it and returned to the field just a few days after the injury, ignoring the doctor's instructions.
Benzema was back again for the next match, six days after the accident, playing against Sevilla at home like nothing ever happened. He again scored a goal in the next game, winning Espanyol a 4-2 game in just 14 days after the accident.
While Benzema ignored the doctor's warning and returned to the field, he injured himself again on the same spot, further complicating the injury. It was unclear when the second injury occurred, but Benzema shared the story in 2021 during a pre-match interview.
Benzema said in the interview, "I had the surgery, but the only problem is that I needed to be out of the field for two months, and I didn't want to leave my teammates. I wanted to stay with them".
"And then, I got injured on it again, but I don't have the luxury of time to undergo another surgery, so that's why I wear the bandage when I want to play."
It is uncertain when Benzema will be able to undergo surgery as the table of appointments is already full. However, the French Ballon d'Or winner is not worried about this and is in no rush to have it done. He has been using a bandage on the field for more than three years, and it has now become a part of his persona and a recognizable symbol to his fans.
The star Frenchman has recently completed a move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, joining other global soccer maestros that moved to the budding league. And, of course, still rocking his signature bandaged arm while playing for his new team.