The French national team remains in suspense over the return of their star forward Kylian Mbappé as Euro 2024 continues. Mbappé, who suffered a nasal fracture, has been sidelined but is making strides in his recovery. He recently participated in a friendly match against Paderborn’s youth team, where he demonstrated his continued prowess by scoring two goals and providing two assists. Despite this positive showing, French coach Didier Deschamps has yet to confirm whether Mbappé will be included in the lineup for the crucial final group stage match against Poland on June 25.Deschamps has stated that Mbappé is ‘doing well’ and the hematoma from his injury is diminishing. The star player is also adapting to the mask, which he is required to wear for protection, although it affects his vision. Teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni mentioned that Mbappé would prefer to play without the mask, but the medical advice suggests otherwise.France has managed to secure four points from their first two matches without Mbappé. However, the team has yet to score a goal of their own, as their previous win was attributed to an own goal by Austria. The return of Mbappé, even if wearing a mask, could provide the offensive boost France needs to ensure their place in the quarterfinals and possibly secure the lead in Group D. The team’s final training session before the match will likely offer a clearer indication of Mbappé’s readiness to play.
Key points
- Kylian Mbappé’s participation in France’s final group match against Poland remains uncertain as he recovers from a nasal fracture.
- Mbappé has shown promise in a friendly match, scoring and assisting, but coach Deschamps has not confirmed his return.
- France needs a strong offensive performance against Poland to advance and potentially lead Group D.
