The match with Austria was not the most spectacular for France, although it emerged victorious. And in the end Kylian Mbappé flew decisively into Kevin Dance’s shoulder and broke his nose. The picture seemed terrifying: at first the Frenchman was lying on the grass, then he was able to get up, and then the cameraman grabbed the attacker’s face in close-up; His nose was very swollen and he went to the side.
Mbappé first left the field, then returned and sat on the grass, for which he received a yellow card. The action seems completely thoughtless, but the Frenchman did it for a reason: the substitute referee did not inform the main referee Jesús Gil Manzano that Didier Deschamps wanted to make a change and the team was left with 10 players. Mbappé returned to the field, so the referee still noted the need for a substitution, for which he received a yellow card. And Deschamps still released Olivier Giroud.
Own goal, Mbappé injury and yellow card: what was the first game like for France:
Horrible game by Mbappé. I missed the best opportunity, broke my nose and stupidly exposed myself to the judge!
Mbappé’s departure with a bloody nose, and even with a yellow card, is, to put it mildly, not the best ending to the first match of the Euro Cup. It became clear from the television picture that Kilian most likely had a fracture, and now the doctors of the French team will have to decide when the team leader will be able to return to the field in this tournament. And will he be able to do it?
N’Golo Kante
French national team midfielder
“We were worried when we saw Kylian leave the field. “We don’t know what the situation is, but we want to see it as soon as possible.”
French media reported that immediately after the match, Mbappé went to the hospital in Dusseldorf, where doctors had to make a decision about the operation. Deschamps confirmed at a press conference that his nose was badly damaged and that Mbappé “was not well.” “This put a damper on us tonight,” the coach said. “Even if it’s just a nose, it’s an unpleasant moment for us.” I’m not going to go into hypotheses, but I will say what I have always said: with Mbappé the team will always be stronger. If things get bad, we will have to do without him. Kylian is Kylian and in any team he plays for, the team is always much stronger.”
Mbappé was in the news even before the first game talking about politics:
The French team immersed itself in politics right during the Euro Cup. Mbappé is the one who worries the most
RMC Sport wrote that the first examination revealed that Mbappé had a very serious injury to his nose, after which the French Football Federation officially confirmed the fracture. Spanish doctor Ángel María told Radio Marca that with such a diagnosis the footballer needs surgery, whose recovery will take two to three weeks. But, despite the severity of the injury, doctors decided to forgo surgery.
French Football Federation
Official statement
“Kylian Mbappé broke his nose during the second half of the match between Austria and France, which was played this Monday in Dusseldorf. The France captain was first treated by medical staff and Dr. Frank Le Gall, who diagnosed him with a broken nose. Mbappé will undergo treatment in the coming days, but will not undergo surgery. “A mask will be made for him so that France’s number 10 can prepare for his return to action after treatment.”
Mbappé took to X (formerly Twitter) with a question to his subscribers: “Any ideas on a mask?” And Real responded with a photo of Kilian wearing a Michelangelo mask from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.
A joke from the Real Madrid press service
Photo: Mbappé social networks
It was a gift from Thiago Silva back in 2017: the Brazilian decided to make fun of the young Frenchman and put a turtle mask in a Dior box. As L’Equipe wrote at the time, PSG gave Mbappé the nickname Donatello because of his resemblance to the cartoon hero (apparently, Silva simply couldn’t find a mask with a different color bandage).
Mbappé’s reaction to the situation inspires positivity: maybe everything is not so bad and he can take the field in the next game. Although the French Football Federation has not given an official timetable for the forward’s return, sports doctor Michel Symes told RMC Sport that Mbappé can play with a mask, although it will not be so easy.
“If he plays again, he will wear a mask, but it is not that big of a problem,” the doctor said. – The problem is mainly in breathing, because there will be swelling inside the nose. The euro ends after three weeks and the swelling may subside in about 10 to 15 days. So everything will depend on his personal decision. He may risk playing with a fracture, but if he has breathing problems, Kylian’s performance will of course decrease.”
Le Figaro reports that Mbappé will be able to recover from the fracture only in time for the Euro playoffs. And there we will see Mbappé with a mask.
