Kylian Mbappé's mask dilemma: unraveling the struggles of the French star
Kylian Mbappé, the star player for France, has been donning a mask on the pitch during Euro 2024, and he has openly expressed his struggle with playing while wearing it, SSP reported. However, one may wonder why he's forced to wear a mask in the first place.
In France's initial Euro 2024 match against Austria, Mbappé accidentally collided with Austrian defender Kevin Danso, headbutting his shoulder while challenging for the ball. As a result of this collision, Mbappé suffered a broken nose, prompting the French Football Federation (FFF) to announce the necessity of him wearing a protective mask during the tournament.
Fortunately, instant surgery was not required for Mbappé's injury, and he turned to X, formerly known as Twitter, asking for suggestions on how to customize his mask. In subsequent games, he missed France's encounter with the Netherlands, a goalless draw, but he made a comeback to contribute a goal in France's 1-1 draw with Poland.
When questioned about his experience playing with the mask, Mbappé candidly described it as "horrible." He mentioned not realizing the extent of his injury until he looked at the goalkeeper's face after the incident. Initially, he feared being sent home from the tournament but expressed happiness in being able to continue playing. However, the journey has been challenging for Mbappé as he has been overwhelmed with appointments and lack of sleep, making it difficult for him to sit on the bench during the game against the Netherlands.
Mbappé lightheartedly joked that with a broken nose, he wouldn't hesitate to head the ball to score a goal. He mentioned changing the mask multiple times due to discomfort and limitations caused by reduced vision and sweating. Reflecting on his experience, Mbappé compared the initial feeling of wearing the mask to donning 3D glasses that detached him from his gameplay. He expressed annoyance towards the mask, confessing that he had changed it five times already.
The presence of Mbappé at his best is crucial for France's prospects not only in the upcoming round of 16 against Belgium but also for their overall performance in the tournament. The highly regarded player has played an instrumental role in the success of the French national team, having scored 48 goals in 81 appearances and playing a pivotal role in France's triumphant journey to win the 2018 World Cup.
However, while France entered Euro 2024 as one of the favorites, they haven't delivered exceptional performances thus far, much like many other prominent teams in the competition. Under the leadership of head coach Didier Deschamps, the French team boasts an impressive track record, including winning a World Cup, reaching another World Cup final, securing the Nations League, and making it to the Euro 2016 final.
In conclusion, despite Mbappé's understandable struggle with wearing a mask on the field, his presence and performance remain vital to France's aspirations in Euro 2024.