Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence after breaking his nose in a sickening collision during France’s Euro 2024 victory over Austria.
The French captain was left bleeding profusely from the nose after he headed the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso while going for the ball.
He was taken to hospital for surgery after the match, which France won 1-0 thanks to an own goal from Maximilian Wober.
Medics have suggested that the 25-year-old could be sidelined for at least ten days by surgery on a broken nose and possibly even longer – putting his Euro 2024 campaign in serious doubt.
Mbappe though tried to see the lighter side of his misfortune, as he took to social media hours after the game had finished.
France star Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose during his side’s win against Austria
Mbappe received a yellow card after he re-entered the pitch and called to be substituted
The forward was left with a broken nose after heading the shoulder of Austrian Kevin Danso
Mbappe took to social media to ask his followers to give him ‘ideas for masks’
In the post he wrote: ‘Any ideas for masks?’ – appearing to suggest he might need to wear a protective mask should he take to the field again during the competition.
Fans responded to his post suggesting that he should wear a ‘ninja turtle’ mask.
This could be in reference to France team-mate Marcus Thuram joking ahead of the game that Mbappe looks like a ninja turtle.
Inter Milan star Thuram was on media duty and speaking to the press ahead of the Austria match when a journalist mistakenly called him ‘Kylian’.
Responding to the reporter, Thuram joked: ‘Kylian? I’m more handsome than Kylian. I don’t look like a ninja turtle.’
Meanwhile, former France team doctor Fabrice Bryand told L’Equipe that the timeframe – which would mean no group stage participation for the new France captain – was ten days minimum.
The French Football Federation confirmed on Monday night that the player, pictured leaving the stadium in an ambulance was undergoing surgery, thought to be at the University Hospital of Düsseldorf.
France coach Didier Deschamps said his new captain Mbappe ‘didn’t get off lightly’ after the collision with Danso.
Mbappe sat down as he re-entered the pitch following the incident against Austria
Fans suggested he should wear a ‘ninja turtle’ mask after Marcus Thuram (right) poked fun at his friend in a press conference by suggesting he looked like one
Deschamps seemed exasperated when questioned about Mbappe, saying his player was ‘not doing well.’
He said: ‘I don’t have the elements in my hands. He didn’t get off lightly. It is still to be seen. I cannot at this stage give the answer. He’s not doing well. He’s with the medical staff. His nose got badly hit that’s for sure. We need to check, but it seems quite complicated, which is really unfortunate for us tonight.’
Mbappe was left on the ground following a collision with Austria’s Kevin Danso.
As reported by Julien Laurens, Mbappe is in hospital with a broken nose. It is unclear whether he will require surgery or if his involvement in the remainder of the Euros will be impacted.
The France attacker then ended up getting a yellow card after he re-entered the pitch and tried to get substituted.
Mbappe was eventually allowed to go off in the closing stages of normal time, with Olivier Giroud replacing him.
Medics have suggested that the 25-year-old could be sidelined for at least 10 days by surgery on a broken nose and possibly even longer
New Real Madrid signing Mbappe had played a key part in the only goal of the game, with Maximilian Wober scoring an own goal following his cross.
The 25-year-old wasn’t able to find the net against Austria despite having two good opportunities.
France take on the Netherlands on Friday in their next game. They will round off their group stage fixtures when they play Poland on June 25.
The incident prompted much discussion on X, with one user writing: ‘Mbappe nose is broken wtf’.
Another added: ‘Kylian Mbappe’s nose is not quite right after that.’
Meanwhile, Actu Foot wrote: ‘Big shock for Mbappe.’
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