France's campaign-commencing victory in Euro 2024 against Austria on Monday, June 17 was marred by a suspected broken nose for Kylian Mbappe, the star footballer for the two-time Euro champions. Mbappe suffered a nasty nose injury and he was bleeding profusely before being taken off the field. According to French media, the star player and the captain, Mbappe, might miss a couple of games for France in the ongoing UEFA Euro Championship.
French manager Didier Deschamps, who registered his 100th win in the role, was hopeful of Mbappe's quick return but admitted that the injury was really bad. “He’s not doing well. He’s with the medical staff. I cannot tell you anything else,” Deschamps said after France's 1-0 win against Austria. “His nose got badly hit. We need to check that out. It is just really unfortunate right now.”
"The medical staff is looking after him. I don’t have the evidence in my hands. The staff are checking him out. I saw him on the massage table. He didn’t get off lightly. It remains to be seen. But you know me, when I don’t have the facts I keep shut," Deschamps further added. "The national squad will always be stronger with Kylian. But if the news does not go along these lines we will have to fight without him. But Kylian is Kylian and every team is stronger with him in it.”
Mbappe after being hit on his nose during the Austria match
However, Deschamps was glad with the winning start for his side saying that they had to fight and it was important for them to come out of that fight.
Mbappe, on the other hand, was seeing the bright side of it all as he took to X (formerly Twitter) saying, "Des idées de masques? (Any ideas for masks?)"
France take on the Netherlands on Friday, June 21 in Leipzig, followed by Poland on Tuesday, June 25 in Dortmund.