Kylian Mbappe, the new Real Madrid superstar, suffered an apparent broken nose during France’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria. The incident occurred when his face collided with Austrian defender Kevin Danso’s shoulder while mistiming a header. Mbappe was left covered in blood and had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. It was later confirmed by the French Football Federation that he had indeed suffered a broken nose and would need a protective mask for the remainder of the tournament.
Despite the injury, Mbappe appeared to be in good spirits and even made light of the situation on social media, asking his followers for ideas on what kind of mask he should wear. However, his return to the pitch after receiving medical treatment did not go smoothly. He was initially forced to take to the sidelines before being reintroduced by the referee, but he took matters into his own hands and made his way back onto the pitch without permission. This led to him receiving a yellow card and drew criticism from football pundits, including Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
The incident seemed to be a time-wasting tactic, as France was trying to hold on to their narrow 1-0 lead against Austria. Mbappe was finally substituted in the 90th minute due to his injury, with Olivier Giroud replacing him. Despite missing a golden opportunity earlier in the match, France managed to secure a victory in their opening game of the Euros.
Speaking after the match, France manager Didier Deschamps confirmed that Mbappe had most likely broken his nose and expressed his frustration with the situation. The injury was certainly a negative point for the team, but they were able to overcome it and start the tournament on a positive note.
In conclusion, Mbappe’s broken nose during France’s Euro 2024 opener was an unfortunate incident that required immediate medical attention. The player’s resilience and determination to return to the pitch were admirable, even though it resulted in a yellow card. Despite the injury, France managed to secure a victory, highlighting the team’s strength and ability to overcome adversity. As Mbappe continues to recover and wear a protective mask, he will undoubtedly be a key player for France in their quest for success in the tournament.