Kylian Mbappe will miss France's next match at Euro 2024 after suffering a broken nose in their first match of the tournament against Austria, sources told ESPN.
The French Football Federation confirmed that the striker did not need surgery, which would have ruled him out of the competition. Instead, he will wear a custom-made mask when he returns.
Sources told ESPN that he will be injured for the next match, scheduled against the Netherlands on Friday, despite Mbappe initially hoping he would be able to play.
“There will be more tests tomorrow to see how things develop. Obviously it was a big collision,” French coach Didier Deschamps said on Tuesday. “The medical staff has done what is necessary to reduce it as much as possible. This morning it was a little better, so we will see it and monitor it closely every day.”
France does not want to take any risks with Mbappé given that he will be needed for the rest of the tournament, but could return against Poland on June 25 if necessary, if his nose feels better.
France claimed a 1-0 victory against Group D rivals Austria on Monday, marking a positive start for Didier Deschamps' side in their quest for a major title following their 2018 World Cup victory.
Mbappé, who was taken to hospital in Düsseldorf, Germany, after the match, posted on social media: “Any ideas for a mask?”
FFF president Philippe Diallo said at a press conference on Tuesday that he is hopeful Mbappé will return to the Euros.
“You saw it, he had an injury to his nose, the news is quite reassuring,” Diallo said. “There will be no operation in the short term. As for his return, today it is premature to give a timetable; we will wait for the latest information from the doctor this morning.”
“Everyone returned late from Düsseldorf, so we will wait for the evolution of the situation. But the information is quite positive about the operation that would have definitively eliminated him from the tournament, but that is not the case.”
Kevin Danso, the Austrian defender with whom Mbappé collided, sent a message of condolence to the French forward on Tuesday.
“I wish him a good recovery and I hope he can quickly return to the playing fields,” Danso said on social media.
“To the French fans: I am sorry that Kylian Mbappé was injured in our duel,” added Danso, who had his back turned when Mbappé's face hit his shoulder.
Reuters reporting contributed to this report.
