In a challenging turn of events for the French national team, star forward Kylian Mbappé has been ruled out of the next two group stage matches at Euro 2024 due to a broken nose sustained during the opening game against Austria. Despite the injury, Mbappé will not undergo immediate surgery and will instead be treated with a protective mask designed to enable his return to the tournament. The French Football Federation has confirmed the treatment plan, but it is still unclear if Mbappé will be fit to play in the upcoming match against the Netherlands scheduled for next Friday at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig despite the striker’s light-hearted social media posts soliciting mask ideas from his followers and receiving messages of sympathy from Austrian defender Kevin Danso who was involved in the incident. French coach Didier Deschamps expressed concern about the situation, acknowledging that Mbappé’s nose was ‘badly hit’ and that they would need to assess his injury before deciding on his availability for the next game. The team’s performance in the next matches will hinge on Mbappé’s recovery, with former team doctor Edouard Lipka expressing concerns about the severity of the injury and its potential impact on the star’s ability to play. France’s 1-0 win against Austria, thanks to an own goal by Austrian defender Maximilian Wober, has placed them in a strong position within their group, but Mbappé’s absence could be a significant blow to their hopes, especially after their runner-up finish in the 2022 World Cup.
Key points
- Kylian Mbappé will miss the next two group stage matches at Euro 2024 due to a broken nose.
- Mbappé will not require immediate surgery and will be treated with a protective mask.
- His participation in the upcoming match against the Netherlands remains uncertain.
- The French Football Federation and coach Didier Deschamps are monitoring Mbappé’s condition closely.
