France are expected to challenge for the Euro 2024 title, but their fortunes will be closely tied to the presence and performance of superstar Kylian Mbappe.
The 25-year-old is considered amongst the best players in the world, but his poor performance at Euro 2020 remains a dark cloud over his otherwise glittering resume. He’ll be itching to put that in the rearview mirror with a quality showing at this year’s summer showcase in Germany, hoping to help France return to European glory.
Mbappe, fresh off his long-anticipated move to Real Madrid, started strong by forcing an own-goal against Austria en route to a 1-0 victory. However, the match was marred late by an injury to the young star, and his status moving forward will be closely watched.
KYLIAN MBAPPE INJURY UPDATES AFTER BROKEN NOSE VS AUSTRIA
Kylian Mbappe is treated for broken nose. (X)
Mbappe was forced off late in the 1-0 win over Austria with an injury, unable to continue after suffering a facial injury while attempting to head the ball into the net.
HOW IT HAPPENED?
In the 86th minute, Mbappe rose high in the air and got his head to the ball, but on the follow-through, he smashed his face into the left shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso. Mbappe was left in a heap on the pitch, needing lengthy treatment from the medical staff causing a significant delay.
When he finally rose off the turf, Mbappe could be seen bleeding profusely from his nose, and a few images from the broadcast seemed to show his nose misshapen, suggesting it could be broken. Mbappe attempted to re-enter the match, but did so holding his nose to staunch further blood flow, and was immediately forced off after that, with Olivier Giroud entering the match for the nine minutes of stoppage time.
Kylian Mbappe injured with broken nose. (Getty Images)
France boss Didier Deschamps indicated after the match that Mbappe had likely suffered a broken nose, although that had yet to be fully confirmed. “Yes, his nose is not right at all,” Deschamps told French channel TF1. “We’ll see. Obviously, it’s tonight’s negative. It’s only a nose, but it’s very bothersome for us.”
According to French publication L’Equipe, Mbappe was taken to the hospital in Dusseldorf to have an operation on the injury. Former France team doctor Fabrice Bryand told L’Equipe that surgery on this injury could sidelined Mbappe 10 days at minimum, and possibly even longer, putting his Euro 2024 participation in serious doubt.
That information was confirmed by the French Federation, who stated Mbappe had indeed suffered a broken nose and would require surgery. There is still no official word on how much time he could miss at Euro 2024.
KYLIAN MBAPPE SHOWN YELLOW CARD FOR TIME WASTING
Mbappe did not only depart the win over Austria with what appeared to be a painful injury but was also shown a yellow card by Spanish official Jesus Gil Manzano for his trouble.
Kylian Mbappe was booked for time wasting by Spanish Referee Gil Mazano. (X)
After receiving treatment and coming off the pitch, Mbappe attempted to continue playing but was clearly not in fit enough shape to continue. He walked back onto the field holding his nose and then immediately sat on the turf in what was a clear time-wasting tactic.
It was quite obvious that Mbappe had not stopped bleeding, as evident by his need to hold his nose, and his shirt was covered in blood, needing to be changed so he could be compliant for playing duty.
The referee was having none of this and booked Mbappe for the move. In a Euro 2024 tournament where two yellow cards lead to a one-match suspension, this could be a major factor in Mbappe’s availability later in the tournament should he recover from injury and pass fit to play.
