French national team captain Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose during the 86th minute of the first match against Austria in Euro 2024. The injury occurred when Mbappe collided with Austrian defender Kevin Danso while attempting to head a cross. Despite the severity of the injury, Mbappe continued to show resilience as he trained individually in Paderborn before the upcoming match against the Netherlands in Leipzig.
The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed that Mbappe underwent radiological examinations at a hospital in Dusseldorf, which revealed a broken nose. Although Mbappe will not require surgery, he will wear a specially designed mask to protect his nose, allowing him to consider returning to the field after a period of treatment.
The absence of Mbappe, who has been a crucial player for the French team, raises concerns about the team's performance in the upcoming match against the Netherlands. Since his debut in 2017, Mbappe has participated in the majority of France's matches, contributing significantly to their victories. Without him, the team's winning percentage drops noticeably.
Veteran striker Olivier Giroud, the all-time top scorer for the French national team, is expected to step up in Mbappe's absence. Giroud, who will retire internationally at the end of the tournament, will play a pivotal role in the match against the Netherlands. Both France and the Netherlands currently share the top spot in Group D after winning their opening matches.
- During the training session in Paderborn, Mbappe appeared with a sticker on his nose and trained separately with the fitness coach. Despite his injury, he attempted to play some balls with his teammates, showing determination to stay involved.
- The French national team's technical staff remains uncertain about Mbappe's participation in the match against the Netherlands. Coach Didier Deschamps expressed his concerns but remained hopeful about the team's performance without their star player.
- Mbappe's influence on the French team has been immense, with a presence during 91% of possible playing time in major tournaments and involvement in 39% of French goals. His absence will be a significant challenge for the team, but they have managed to secure victories without him in the past.
- Austrian defender Kevin Danso apologized to Mbappe and French fans for the incident, wishing him a speedy recovery. The French team will have to rely on their depth and experience to navigate the upcoming matches without their captain.
