New Delhi: Kylian Mbappe was seen adjusting his mask on more than one occasion during France’s Euro 2024 last 16 win against Belgium, clearly indicating he is not yet comfortable wearing it. The 25-year-old has described playing with a face gear as ‘horrible’. So why is he even wearing one?
The need for the mask arose during France’s opening match against Austria when Mbappe accidentally headbutted an opponent resulting in a broken nose. Despite the injury, Mbappe has continued to play, missing only one match and returning to score in the subsequent game against Poland. During a press conference on Sunday evening, the Frenchman let his frustration run free stating the mask is like a thorn in his eyes.
On changing his mask multiple times Mbappe said that “I keep changing masks because every time there is something that bothers me, there’s something that’s not quite right. It’s quite difficult playing with a mask because it limits your field of vision, your sweat clogs up and you need to let the sweat out.”
With Mbappe not at his best due to obvious reasons, France remain the lowest scorers with just three goals among the remaining teams in the tournament. In their first game the victory came from Austria’s own goal, Mbappe’s penalty against Poland was their second before Vertonghen’s own goal became their third. While Mbappe remains lethal despite his limited prowess, the talented forward line needs to up their game against a battle-hardened Portuguese in the quarterfinals.
What it means to French side?
France’s forward line has seemed disjointed from the start of the tournament. Mbappe’s goal-scoring form is crucial for France’s hopes, not just for the quarterfinals but for the tournament as a whole.
Widely regarded as one of the best players in the current era, Mbappe has scored 48 goals in 82 appearances for the Les Blues and even helped the team lead to glory in the 2018 World Cup.
France entered the tournament as one of the favourites but like most other big nations they have failed to impress so far. Deschamps has tried a number of approaches to get his forward lining firing but the 55 year old knows that getting Mbappe comfortable with wearing a protective mask on his broken nose could help.
“Sweating can still bother him. It can get in the eyes. But it’s complicated for his vision, it’s 10ths of a second, but it’s important,” Deschamps said during a press conference.
The French team is hoping that Mbappe can swiftly adjust to wearing the mask and find his scoring boots. With no option but to wear the protective gear, Mbappe should accept the reality and enter the battle for European glory, with the same burning emotion as the warriors did centuries ago, wearing the mask as pride more than protection.
France’s star striker Mbappe battles discomfort and limited vision from a protective mask. Will he overcome this challenge to lead his team to glory? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
