Aoba Tanaka 
France’s Euro 2024 campaign has hit an early snag as star forward Kylian Mbappe sustained a potentially serious injury during their 1-0 win over Austria on Monday. Head coach Didier Deschamps expressed concerns about Mbappe’s condition, stating that the captain is “not doing well” after what appears to be a broken nose.
The incident occurred late in the match in Düsseldorf, when Mbappe, while attempting a header, collided with Austrian defender Kevin Danso’s shoulder. The 25-year-old was immediately treated on the pitch, with visible blood indicating the severity of the impact. Despite the injury, Mbappe re-entered the field briefly before being replaced by Olivier Giroud, an action that earned him a yellow card for returning without permission.
Deschamps, addressing the media post-match, described the situation as “complicated” and indicated that further medical assessments are required to determine the full extent of the injury. “His nose got badly hit. We need to check it out but it seems quite complicated, which is really very unfortunate for us. The medical staff are checking him out. I saw him on the massage table. He didn’t get off lightly. It’s still to be seen and I cannot at this stage give you a precise answer,” Deschamps explained.
Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, reassured reporters that Mbappe does “not require an operation” at this time. However, the exact severity and implications of the injury remain unclear.
Mbappe, who has netted 47 goals in 80 appearances for France, played a crucial role in the match by forcing an own goal from Austria’s Max Wober, which secured France’s narrow victory. His presence is vital for France’s aspirations of securing their third European title. The injury comes at a particularly challenging time, as France is set to face the Netherlands on Friday. Deschamps was non-committal about Mbappe’s availability for the upcoming match, stating, “I’m not going to go into hypothesis but the French team with Kylian will always be stronger with him. If the news doesn’t go along these lines then we will have to fight without him.”
Mbappe, who is set to join Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, has yet to score in the European Championship, despite his prolific World Cup record. His injury adds an element of uncertainty to France’s campaign, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his condition.
As France moves forward in the tournament, the team’s resilience and depth will be tested. The potential absence of their captain and star player is a significant setback, but Deschamps and his squad will need to adapt and find ways to maintain their momentum in Euro 2024.
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