Even after Kylian Mbappé discarded his nose mask, a 16-year-old prodigy overshadowed him.
Mbappé stopped wearing the mask, which had restricted his vision since he broke his nose in France’s first match. Despite this, Les Bleus suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the semifinals on Tuesday, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest scorer in European Championship history.
Yamal, who turns 17 the day before the Euro 2024 final, will play in the championship match, while Mbappé prepares to join his new team, Real Madrid, after a holiday.
“I aimed to win the European Championship and have a good Euros — I achieved neither,” Mbappé lamented. “It’s disappointing, and now it’s time for vacation. I’ll rest well to return fresh and ready for a strong pre-season.”
Initially expected to wear the mask for possibly months, Mbappé surprised many by appearing in Munich without it.
“I was tired of it, it impaired my vision,” Mbappé explained. “After consulting with the doctor, I decided to take it off like a man, and I don’t regret it.”
Before Tuesday’s match, Euro 2024 hadn’t gone as planned for Mbappé and France. Their goals had come from a Mbappé penalty and two own-goals, with no French player scoring from open play.
Mbappé made 23 attempts at goal during the tournament in Germany but didn’t score from open play, a feat unmatched since Deco’s 24 attempts at Euro 2004 without scoring.
The 25-year-old Mbappé, who described wearing the mask as “an absolute nightmare,” immediately assisted France’s opening goal with a precise cross to Randal Kolo Muani’s head in the ninth minute.
Mbappé missed a crucial chance to equalize and force extra time in the final minutes when he was set up by Bradley Barcola on the left wing.
