One of the brightest stars at this year’s UEFA European Championship may be in danger of missing the rest of the tournament.
The French soccer superstar Kylian Mbappe had a very scary moment during France’s opening match of the Euros against Austria on Monday. In the 85th minute, Mbappe attempted a header from just outside the six-yard box off a set-piece delivery from his teammate Antoine Griezmann. The attempt was blocked by Austria centre-back Kevin Danso, and Mbappe’s head collided hard with Danso’s shoulder on the follow-through.
Here is the video.
Ouch
Mbappé had to be treated on the field after this contact pic.twitter.com/bFfzYfPvsu
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2024
Mbappe was bleeding heavily from his nose as a result of the collision, and the blood was very visible on his jersey. He attempted to play through the injury for a few more minutes but was eventually subbed off for Olivier Giroud in the 90th minute.
Kylian Mbappe covered in blood after a head injury#AUTFRA #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/8o3Ye9fx78
— Sideline Recaps (@SidelineRecaps) June 17, 2024
The French Federation confirmed after the match, which France held on to win 1-0, that Mbappe had suffered a broken nose from the collision. He will now have to undergo surgery in Dusseldorf, Germany, where Monday’s France-Austria match was played (per leading soccer reporter Fabrizio Romano).
It is unclear at the moment if Mbappe, France’s captain who led them to the 2018 World Cup title as well as a runner-up finish at the 2022 World Cup, can still return for them during the Euros. France has two more matches of group-stage play over the next week before the Round of 16 knockout stage (which they have a very strong chance of advancing to after Monday’s win).
The versatile 25-year-old Mbappe, whose exploits have drawn attention from other star athletes around the world, will be nearly impossible for France to replace. They may have to turn to a true striker like Giroud or Randal Kolo Muani for now and pray that Mbappe can return in time.
