Karim Benzema seen without bandage at Ballon d’Or ceremony – why does he wear it? And what is wrong with his finger?

ByMarcus Foley

Updated 21/10/2022 at 11:26 GMT

Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or on Monday evening in Paris. The event is a lavish one and attendees dress accordingly. For Benzema that meant a tuxedo, but it was his hand that drew most attention as the Real Madrid forward is rarely seen without a bandage on his right hand. Without it, the long-term impact of an injury he sustained three years ago could be seen.

Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday night.

The 34-year-old beat off competition from Sadio Mane, Kevin de Bruyne, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah to land the award.

The event is a lavish one and attendees dress accordingly, and Benzema wore a tuxedo. However, it was his hand that drew most attention as the Real Madrid forward is rarely seen without a bandage on his right hand.

Transfers

Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea set to miss out on Benzema - Paper Round

31/01/2024 at 08:15

Without it, the long-term impact of an injury he sustained three years ago could be seen.

In January 2019, the forward broke his finger in a match against Real Betis. The injury required an operation and potentially a three-month recuperation period. However, Los Blancos were in the midst of a crisis and, as such, his then-manager Santiago Solari, who had replaced Julen Lopetegui mid-season, deemed that the forward should play.

"Karim has this finger injury, as you know, but we think it's not a problem for him to practice his profession as a footballer," Eurosport France reported him as saying.

• Messi's Ballon d'Or ranking dismissed by Argentine manager Gorosito - 'That's funny'
• Neymar says Vinicius should have been 'top three' in Ballon d'Or
• Pellegrini hails Ballon d'Or winner Benzema as 'complete player'

Benzema would play for the rest of that season and score 30 goals in 56 games. Looking back, it was the season the Frenchman would emerge as Real’s leading man following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, and set him on the road towards Ballon d’Or glory.

However, the decision not to have the operation appears to have had a lasting impact on Benzema. He has since worn a bandage on his hand when he plays, and he appears unable to fully extend the finger in question as evidenced by the below photo.

Transfers

Man Utd duo wanted by Al-Nassr, Benzema wants 'temporary' transfer – Paper Round

24/01/2024 at 08:39

Transfers

Man Utd opt against Benzema pursuit, PSG eye £100m Guimaraes transfer – Paper Round

16/01/2024 at 08:15

Club World Cup

Benzema misses penalty as Saudi champions Al-Ittihad exit Club World Cup

15/12/2023 at 20:39