IN the early hours of June 18 Beijing Time, the French team faced Austria in their opening match of the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage, securing a narrow victory by one goal. However, what has seized the attention of fans worldwide is not the match result but the condition of the French captain, Kylian Mbappé’s nose. During the game, Mbappé suffered a significant blow to his nose as he collided with an Austrian player while vying for a high ball. The sight of him in pain, blood streaming from his nose, left viewers anxious about the severity of his injury and his ability to continue playing in upcoming matches. Following the collision in the 86th minute, Mbappé was substituted and promptly received medical attention. Reports indicated a potential nose fracture, sparking worries about his involvement in future matches. The football world collectively held its breath as updates on the star player’s recovery were awaited. Post-game analysis revealed Mbappé’s lackluster stats: 4 shots with just 1 on target, a crucial miss, and only three successful dribbles out of six attempts, leading to a modest rating of 7.3. Worldwide concern Leading sports media outlets have closely monitored this development, with headlines like “Victory, Pain, and Blood” and “Blood, Sweat, and Applause.” BBC, The Telegraph, The Sun, The Daily Mail, and many other media outlets have placed Mbappé’s injury at the forefront of their coverage. Interest in his condition has crossed the Atlantic, with Argentine and Brazilian media eagerly awaiting updates despite actively preparing for the Copa America. As per reports from the French media outlet RMC, Mbappé left the field that night wearing a mask and underwent detailed examinations at a hospital in Dusseldorf. Positive news The latest news suggests that Mbappé’s condition is reassuring; he will not require nose surgery and might even feature in the second group stage match against the Netherlands on June 22 at 3 a.m. Beijing time. French Football Federation president confirmed post-match that Mbappé wouldn’t need surgery, stating, “No problem, no surgery needed.” Despite the overall anxiety, Mbappé remains relatively optimistic. He will train and compete wearing a mask, even reaching out on social media to solicit creative ideas for his mask, saying, “Any thoughts on the mask, everyone?” Challenge for French team The French team’s prospects now face overshadowing by Mbappé’s injury. His exceptional skills underpin the team’s tactics, and his absence deals a significant blow to France’s offensive capabilities. The cloud over France’s championship ambitions now heavily depends on Mbappé’s recovery. If he cannot perform at his peak, the burden will fall on the rest of the team to lead the attack. With strong opponents like England looming in the knockout stages, swift adjustments are imperative. Failure to adapt swiftly could potentially derail France’s title aspirations once more. (SD News) | 