France is set to clash with Belgium in a pivotal Round of 16 showdown at Euro 2024, scheduled at the Merkur Spiel Arena this Monday.
Ahead of the game, French skipper Kylian Mbappe candidly discussed the challenges he's faced since sustaining a broken nose and opting to delay surgery. Mbappe acknowledged the risks associated with playing in such conditions, remarking, "Playing with a broken nose without surgery makes me a target. I knew the consequences when I decided to continue playing rather than undergo immediate treatment."
Mbappe sustained the injury during France's initial match against Austria, following a collision with defender Kevin Danso. This setback sidelined him for the subsequent game against the Netherlands, but he returned for France's final group stage fixture against Poland, where he netted a crucial penalty, marking his first goal of the tournament.
"Actually it's awful, horrible playing with a mask. I keep changing masks because every time there's something that bothers me, there's something that's not quite right. It's quite difficult to play with a mask because it limits your field of vision, your sweat clogs up. The first few days I felt like I was wearing 3D glasses. As soon as I can get rid of that mask, I will. But now I don't have a choice. I can't play without it. I hate it. It's really annoying and I've changed it more than five times," concluded Mbappe.
Reflecting on the discomfort and risks associated with his decision, Mbappe admitted, "I might take some knocks, it might hurt, but I'm committed to giving my all for the team and advancing in the competition. If taking hits means advancing, then so be it. My nose is already broken."
Despite being touted as favorites at the tournament's outset, France's lackluster performance in the group stage, scoring just two goals (one from a penalty and one own goal), has tempered expectations. The onus now falls on Mbappe to lead his team against a resilient Belgian squad.
Mbappe also opened up about the challenges of playing with a protective mask, describing it as "terrible." He lamented the discomfort it causes, noting, "It's awful playing with a mask. I've had to change masks multiple times because something always bothers me—either the fit or the field of vision. It feels like wearing 3D glasses at times. I can't wait to discard it, but for now, it's necessary. I hate it. It's really frustrating, and I've changed masks more than five times already."
With France's hopes riding on Mbappe's resilience and leadership, manager Didier Deschamps is counting on a strong performance against Belgium, aiming to boost team morale and secure a place in the quarter-finals, potentially setting up a clash with Portugal or Slovenia in the next stage.
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