Kylian Mbappe will not need surgery but will wear a mask when he returns to action after the France captain suffered a broken nose in his team’s 1-0 Euro 2024 win over Austria on Monday.
Mbappe’s head violently collided with the shoulder of Austrian defender, Kevin Danso as they competed for the ball in the air, late in the Group D opener in Duesseldorf.
A statement published by the French Football Federation FFF confirmed the extent of the injury, saying Mbappe had undergone tests at a hospital in Duesseldorf before rejoining the France squad at their base in Paderborn, a two-hour drive to the east.
Philippe Diallo, president of the French federation however told reporters that Mbappe would not require an operation.
The star striker left the pitch in the 90th minute as blood poured from his nose, with a source close to the player later saying it was broken.
However, it is not clear if that means Mbappe will be able to play in France’s next game, against the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday.
France coach Didier Deschamps was not optimistic when he spoke to reporters after Monday’s match, which was decided by a Maximilian Woeber own goal late in the first half.
Play had initially continued after the accidental collision, with Mbappe prone in the opposition box until Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz signalled to the referee that the Frenchman required attention.
Mbappe was treated by the France medical team and his white shirt was streaked with blood as he wandered down the touchline holding his nose.