DÜSSELDORF: Kylian Mbappe will not need surgery but will wear a mask when he returns to action after the France captain suffered a broken nose in his team’s 1-0 Euro 2024 win over Austria on Monday, the French Football Federation said.
Mbappe’s head violently collided with the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso as they competed for the ball in the air late in the Group D opener in Duesseldorf.
The star striker left the pitch in the 90th minute as blood poured from his nose, with a source close to the player later saying it was broken.
Philippe Diallo, president of the French federation (FFF), told reporters that Mbappe would “not require an operation”.
A statement published by the FFF confirmed the extent of the injury, saying Mbappe had undergone tests at a hospital in Duesseldorf before rejoining the France squad at their base in Paderborn, a two-hour drive to the east.
“A mask will be made which will allow (Mbappe) to contemplate a return to action after a period of treatment,” the FFF said.
However, it is not clear if that means Mbappe will be able to play in France’s next game, against the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday.
France coach Didier Deschamps was not optimistic when he spoke to reporters after Monday’s match, which was decided by a Maximilian Woeber own goal late in the first half.
“He is in a bad way. He is not well. His nose is a mess, that’s for sure. That is the black mark of the evening for us,” Deschamps said of Mbappe.
Play had initially continued after the accidental collision, with Mbappe prone in the opposition box until Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz signalled to the referee that the Frenchman required attention.
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Mbappe was treated by the France medical team and his white shirt was streaked with blood as he wandered down the touchline holding his nose.
The new Real Madrid signing came back onto the pitch and promptly sat down as the referee brandished a yellow card in his direction for re-entering the field of play without permission.
Mbappe was then replaced by veteran attacker Olivier Giroud.
“It is not a little scratch. I know he is always being talked about but I can’t say more,” Deschamps added, before expressing hope that his star player would not be sidelined for any length of time.
“I have always said that the France team will be stronger with Kylian in it.”
Deschamps was at least pleased with the result, as France kicked off with a victory in their quest to win a first European Championship title since 2000.
“It is good to start with a victory against such opponents,” he said.
“We could and should have done better with certain opportunities. But overall, it was positive, and we showed we were up for the fight as well.
“That is important. We have quality and talent, but we need to remain solid as well.”
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