Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema showed off a gruesome cut on his foot that required stitches that he sustained in Los Blancos' 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
The Frenchman, who picked up the Ballon d'Or award earlier this season after being voted the best player in the world in 2022, shared a video of the afflicted area being sewn up after the match, which saw Real players wear No 20 shirts prior to kick-off.
A painful looking gash can be seen below the third and fourth toes of the striker's right foot following the Bernabeu encounter.
It is thought that the injury came after a challenge early in the game with just 10 minutes on the clock, after a Vallecano player stamped on his foot.
Following the hefty challenge, Benzema was seen frequently limping and complaining throughout the game, although he turned down the opportunity of a substitution, preferring to grit his teeth and continue.
And not even the injury could stop the prolific Frenchman from getting on the scoresheet, with Benzema netting in the 31st minute of the encounter.
Benzema played a neat one-two with Federico Valverde before arcing in behind the Vallecano defence to receive the ball.
He then drew out Stole Dimitrievski, took the ball round the advancing North Macedonian, and fired home into the empty net to make it 1-0 in the tie.
Raul de Tomas then scored what looked to be a late equaliser on 84 minutes, before Rodrygo rescued all three points for the hosts in the 89th minute with a curling effort into the bottom right corner from outside the penalty area.
It remains to be seen whether Benzema's involvement in the side will continue after suffering the potentially debilitating injury.
Real are unable to win any further honours this season and as such are no longer fighting for any silverware, however their second-place status is at risk.
Arch nemesis Atletico Madrid are breathing down their necks in the hunt for the silver medal spot, just a point behind them.
There are just two more games to be played for the Madrid rivals, and having already lost their Champions League and LaLiga crowns, Carlo Ancelotti will be keen for his side to at least best their most heated rivals.
On a personal level, Benzema could still catch Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in the hunt for the Pichichi trophy, handed to the top scorer in the Spanish top flight.
However, to do so he would need the Polish icon - on 23 - to score in neither of the champions' remaining fixtures, and hope to score at least five of his own in the next two games.
No player has won the award more times than Lionel Messi's eight, while Benzema is the current holder of the gong, and will be keen to end a somewhat disappointing campaign on a high.
His side are next in action against Sevilla on Saturday May 27, before a clash with Athletic Bilbao closes the season for Ancelotti, B enzema and Co on June 4
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