Why do footballers tape up their wrists?

The answer is simple. Footballers mainly tape their wrists to protect them from injury.

Sports tape, which is wrapped around the wrist and sometimes fingers, provides support and stability to the wrist joints during a match - meaning that if a player has been tackled, faced a collision or a fall, the tape will form protection to their wrist.

Goalkeepers use tape to protect their fingers and wrist under their gloves, but any outfield player is also permitted to do so.

However, tape cannot be worn to cover pieces of jewellery, according to safety rules set by football law-makers the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

If a player has sustained a wrist injury, tape can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling. It can also help a player wipe sweat off their faces during a match.

Wearing tape could also be part of a footballer's superstitious beliefs, believing they will have a better performance or it will bring them luck if they apply it.

It can also become part of a footballer's identity on the pitch if they become known for their wrist tape.

There are numerous videos on TikTok of people showing how to tape your wrists like Phil Foden, Jamie Vardy and Vinicius Jr.

Foden did not wear the tape until fracturing his hand in January 2024, but the Manchester City playmaker has continued to wear the bandage ever since.

Ultimately, wearing wrist tape is down to each individual player and their preferences.

Ben Warburton, a physiotherapist who has worked with Cardiff City, Wales' national rugby union team and Scarlets rugby union team, says players like Foden wear the tape for different injury-related reasons.

He said the first is for "prophylactic measures", such as when footballers fall to the floor helping to "reduce the risk of a wrist injury".

It can also reduce extension at the wrist joint.

"Taping can give reassurance after an injury," explains Warburton. "This restriction in movement can give massive confidence to a player, making them feel they can play aggressively - and should they fall, their wrist is slightly protected."

Warburton also says that wearing wrist tape can just be for show, or for tactical reasons - especially goalkeepers who may have notes on their tape, such as penalty shootout instructions.

Thank you to Anthony from Stafford, Pete from Braintree, Jim from Newcastle, Trevor from Yorkshire and John from Cheltenham for your question.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.

We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events.

Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.