European Championship 2024
Mbappé makes mask jokes, but France worries: How broken is his nose really?
Mbappé (M) had to be substituted with a severe bleeding nose. Photo
© Fabian Strauch/dpa
Top favorite France paid for its opening victory against Austria with an injury to Kylian Mbappé. He himself is joking again, but his broken nose could potentially cost him large parts of the tournament.
The fears have been confirmed: Superstar Kylian Mbappé suffered a broken nose in title favorite France’s opening victory at the European Championship. After a period of treatment, the captain of the Équipe Tricolore will be able to play again wearing a face mask, the French association announced.
The association did not confirm whether Mbappé will be able to play in Friday’s group stage clash against the Netherlands. The 25-year-old himself was able to joke again, however, and asked X, formerly Twitter: “Ideas for masks?”
Mbappé will not be operated on immediately, but work is now underway to make face protection for the lightning-fast attacker. These are usually made of carbon and cover the nose area, among other things. Germany’s defender Antonio Rüdiger, for example, played with such protection at the 2021 European Championships.
After being examined at the University Hospital in Düsseldorf, Mbappé has already returned to the team, which is based in Bad Lippspringe near Paderborn in North Rhine-Westphalia. He will “receive treatment in the next few days,” the statement said. Mbappé sustained the injury shortly before the end of the extremely intense match in Düsseldorf on Monday evening.
Kylian Mbappé threatens to miss game
“In pain,” the sports newspaper “L’Équipe” had already titled a photo showing Mbappé lying on the ground with a bleeding nose. After it was confirmed that he at least did not need surgery, the broadcaster RMC Sport immediately wrote: “Great relief. (…) He should be available for the match against the Netherlands this Friday.”
No operation, “everything will be fine,” the association president had also assured during the night. But speculation early on Tuesday morning also went in the other, not so good direction for the fans of the 2018 world champion and 2022 vice world champion. According to information from RTL France, Mbappé will not be available for the next game. He could even be out until the quarter-finals, they said.
The injury occurred when Mbappé hit Kevin Danso’s shoulder with full force while attempting to head the ball. He initially had to be treated on the pitch, and the team doctors had already assumed that he had broken his nose.
France’s shaky victory against Rangnick – worries about superstar Mbappé
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This means that the injury woes of the future Real Madrid superstar continue during the European Championship. First he complained of back problems during the preparation, then Mbappé was kicked in a friendly match and had to rest.
Friday France is challenged again
“He’s not feeling well at all,” said France’s national coach Didier Deschamps late in the evening in Düsseldorf after the narrow victory. “I hope it’s not that bad,” stressed Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano. There is at least a little time to look after Mbappé before kick-off at 9 p.m. on Friday in Leipzig’s European Championship stadium against the Dutch, who also started the tournament victoriously. “A French national team with Kylian is always stronger,” said Deschamps. The third group match is on June 25, and the opponents in Dortmund will be Poland.