In a distressing turn of events, Kylian Mbappé was forced to leave the France-Austria Euro 2024 match after a severe collision with defender Kevin Danso. The incident, which occurred a few minutes before the end of the game, resulted in the French captain exiting the pitch with a bloody nose, later confirmed to be a nasal fracture. Despite scoring the decisive goal of the match, Mbappé's injury raised concerns akin to those experienced by Antoine Dupont nine months earlier during the Rugby World Cup.
Following the collision, Mbappé wore a black surgical mask to conceal the damage as he headed to the hospital for further examination. Initial assessments suggest only the nasal septum might be affected. Commenting on the injury, Fabrice Bryand, ex-doctor of the French team, explained that the situation would require a comprehensive assessment to understand the severity. "If it's only the nasal septum, it will need repositioning and healing, possibly allowing him to play with protection," he stated.
In professional football, cases of players continuing with broken noses are not unheard of. This season, Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka resumed play four days after fracturing his nose, and Stéphanois Mathieu Cafaro returned to the pitch less than a week post-injury. They both utilized protective masks, showcasing that return is possible even with such setbacks.
Bixente Lizarazu, a former world champion, acknowledged the inconvenience but deemed it manageable with appropriate protection. "It's a little annoying to breathe and sleep, but with protection, it’s not a problem to play," Lizarazu noted. Similarly, Bryand highlighted that the healing period would be critical, estimating a return to play within ten to fifteen days. This timeline implies Mbappé could miss the upcoming matches against the Netherlands and Poland but potentially return for subsequent knockout stages, depending on France's qualification.
The uncertainty surrounding Mbappé's condition leaves French fans in suspense, but the team’s win against Austria marks a positive step forward in the tournament.
- Kylian Mbappé's clash with Kevin Danso happened at a crucial moment, with just minutes left in regulation time. The collision with Danso’s shoulder resulted from an aerial challenge. Upon re-entering the field without the referee's consent, Mbappé received a warning and was eventually substituted by Olivier Giroud.
- Despite the injury, Mbappé's performance was pivotal. He caused the own goal by Maximilian Wöber that secured France’s victory. His determination and skills remain a beacon for the team, though his immediate future on the pitch depends on his healing progress.
