Monday October 17, 2022, Karim Benzema received the Ballon d’Or, an award given to the best football player of the year. On social networks, many Internet users reacted to the state of his finger, which was not hidden behind its usual bandage.
Images that had gone around the world… Sunday January 13, 2019, during the second half of a match against Bétis Sevilla, Karim Benzema collided Marc Bartra and fractured the little finger of his right hand. So his coach, Santiago Solari, had assured that it would not be a problem on the ground. For four years, the footballer has been playing with a bandage which completely covers his little finger, coupled with a splint to hold it in place if a new shock were to occur. In September 2021, in the columns of the Spanish newspaper As, Karim Benzema explained: “I was operated on first, but when you are operated on, you have to stop for two months. And I wanted to continue with my teammates. I hurt myself another time, but I don’t have time to stop and have another operation. That’s why I play with the bandage.“
Monday, October 17, 2022, Karim Benzema was awarded the Ballon d’Or by Zinédine Zidane, an award given to the best football player of the year. Moved, it was in front of the public that he explained: “I think back to when I was little. I never let anything go. I had two role models in my life: Zidane and Ronaldo. It’s a lot of work, it’s training again and again. There were tough times too. This period when I was not in selection, but I spoke with many people, it was difficult. It strengthened me mentally.Wishing to motivate the new generation, the footballer added:This Ballon d’Or is individual, but it remains the people’s Ballon d’Or. I think there is no age. After their thirties, many level up. It’s determination, work. I train a lot more, I tell myself that we must not let go.“If his speech caused a lot of reaction, it was an image of his finger, which made the rounds on social networks.
Karim Benzema’s unbandaged finger revealed
After receiving the Ballon d’Or, the football star put his hands in prayer, without his usual bandage. By discovering the state of his little finger, many internet users expressed their surprise. On Twitter, we can indeed read:It’s proof that his splint does a terrible job.“; “This is the first time I’ve seen Benzema’s famous broken finger. Well then !“; “His finger is ugly like that“; “He doesn’t want to operate on his finger?“Despite everything, Karim Benzema can count on the support of Michel Platini, who reacted to his victory on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. At the microphone of RMC, the former leader of the Blues said: “It’s a fully deserved Ballon d’Or, there was no suspense. It is remarkable what he has been doing for many years!“Admiring, this one added:”I think he plays differently, he’s smart, he plays with his head. He is not necessarily on top physically, but he plays with his head. He is difficult to identify, he goes on the front of the attack, in front of the goal, behind, he goes elsewhere (…) He is remarkable in his interpretation of the game.“