France captain Kylian Mbappé does not require surgery and will play with a mask Euro 2024 to protect his “broken nose” after being covered in blood in the 1-0 victory over Austria.
The victory was overshadowed by Mbappe’s worrying facial injury in the final moments of the match in Dusseldorf. The Real Madrid star, who received a yellow card after returning to the field following treatment, was photographed leaving the stadium in an ambulance after the game.
France have detailed Mbappe’s diagnosis and next steps before Les Bleus face the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday.
And Mbappe even joked on social media, asking his followers “any ideas for masks?”
A statement from the French Football Federation said: “Kylian Mbappé returns to the base of the French national team.
“Kylian Mbappé broke his nose during the second half of the Austria-France match played this Monday in Düsseldorf.
“The France captain was first treated by the medical team and Dr. Franck Le Gall, who diagnosed him with a broken nose.
“Mbappé will receive treatment in the coming days, but will not undergo surgery in the immediate future. A mask will be made for him, so that the number 10 of the French team can prepare for his return to competition after a period dedicated to treatment.”
Head coach Didier Deschamps described Mbappe’s injury as a “big negative” that night.
“He’s not well,” Deschamps said. “He is with the medical team and I had a lot of questions from the media before coming here, so I can’t say anything more. But his nose was badly hit, that’s for sure. We need to check that out, but it looks quite complicated, which is really quite unfortunate for us tonight.”
Mbappe suffered the injury while trying to head the ball into the penalty area, colliding with the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso.
Mbappe’s nose began to bleed and he remained down after the challenge as Austria advanced after avoiding France’s corner.
He received medical attention after the game was interrupted, with his white shirt already stained with blood. Mbappe covered his nose with his hand after getting up.
The 25-year-old star was helped off the pitch by medics before receiving a bizarre yellow card for attempting to re-enter the field of play without the referee’s permission.
It then became clear that Mbappe could not continue and he left the field, heading straight down the tunnel with nine minutes remaining in the half.
Mbappe was booed by Austrian fans as he left the field in response to what they saw as a time-wasting tactic with France reduced to 10 men.
France held on in Dusseldorf to open Euro 2024 with a victory, joining the Netherlands on three points after their opening Group D victory over Poland.
“His nose is not good at all,” said Deschamps. “Even if it’s just the nose, it’s the big negative for us today. The medical team is examining him. I saw him on the massage table, and you know… he wasn’t easily amused.
The World Cup Golden Boot winner will now wear a protective mask, which may remain in place for the remainder of the Euros depending on the extent of the injury.
“I’m not going to go into hypotheses, but I’ll say what I’ve always said: the French team with Kylian will always be stronger, the national team will always be stronger with him,” said Deschamps.
“But if, and I use your ‘if’, the news doesn’t go in that direction, we will have to do without it. But Kylian is Kylian, and in any team he is in, the squad is always much stronger.”
