Well, folks, it looks like French captain Kylian Mbappe might have to sit out France’s crucial Group D showdown with the Netherlands this Friday. The 25-year-old star suffered a broken nose in a less-than-graceful collision with Austria’s defender Kevin Danso on Monday night.
Yes, you read that right. Our French talisman met his match – or rather his nose did – in a clash that had fans gasping and Danso probably wishing he’d stayed in bed that morning. France’s medical team is racing against the clock to whip up a mask for Mbappe, but don’t hold your breath for a miraculous recovery in time for Friday’s game in Leipzig.
In what feels like a dramatic episode of a sports soap opera, both France and the Netherlands are neck-and-neck, having won their opening games. So, this upcoming match is essentially a battle for the top spot in Group D. But don’t despair just yet; there’s a glimmer of hope that our Real Madrid-bound forward will make a comeback for the final group game against Poland. Fingers crossed, folks!
Mbappe, who was instrumental in forcing the winning goal against Austria (thanks to a clumsy own goal by Maximilian Wober), rejoined his teammates at their Paderborn base after a pit stop at University Hospital Dusseldorf. The good news? He hasn’t needed surgery. The French medical team will be keeping a close eye on him – probably closer than his fans on social media.
In an official statement, France announced, “Kylian Mbappe returns to the base camp of the French national team. Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose during the second part of the Austria-France match held this Monday in Dusseldorf. The captain of France was treated by the medical staff and Dr. Franck Le Gall, who diagnosed him with a nose fracture. Mbappe will receive treatment in the next few days, but he will not undergo surgery in the immediate future. A mask will be made for him so that the number 10 of the French national team can prepare for his return to the competition after a period dedicated to treatment.”
And in true Mbappe style, he took to social media to quip, “Any ideas for masks 🎭😅?” This isn’t his first rodeo with facial accessories – he was previously gifted a Ninja Turtles mask by PSG teammate Thiago Silva, earning the nickname “Donatello.”
Coach Didier Deschamps, ever the optimist, remarked, “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. Kylian is Kylian, and every team is stronger with him in it.”
France plans to train behind closed doors at their Paderborn Arena base on Tuesday afternoon, no doubt concocting new strategies to cope without their star player.
Meanwhile, Danso, the former Southampton defender who accidentally channeled his inner Mike Tyson, issued an apology to French supporters. “To French supporters: I am sorry that Kylian Mbappe was injured during our duel. I wish him a good recovery and I hope he can quickly find his place on the pitch.”
French Football Federation president, Philippe Diallo, chipped in, “There have been a number of reviews, and they have come to quick conclusions. They made sure to limit the consequences of the fracture that he could have. There is no surgery planned in the short term, we are awaiting the latest developments during the day for the conditions of Kylian’s participation in the rest of the tournament.”
So, stay tuned, folks. Will our hero return to save the day, or will France have to battle it out without their star? One thing’s for sure – Mbappe’s absence will be felt, and the drama is far from over.