Kylian Mbappé returned to light training on Wednesday with a bandage covering his broken nose, marking his first public appearance since the injury that affected the European Championship.
Earlier in the day, Mbappé posted a message on Instagram that hinted at his determination: “Without risks, there are no victories.” This was the only comment made by Mbappé or the French team management regarding his injury. He underwent additional tests on his nose, which was injured during France’s 1-0 victory over Austria on Monday.
Mbappé joined his teammates for a practice session at the Home Deluxe Arena in Paderborn later in the afternoon. Initially, he was seen running with the ball alone and later participated in a shooting drill with other players after speaking with France coach Didier Deschamps.
France’s upcoming match against the Netherlands on Friday raises questions about Mbappé’s availability, although no official confirmation has been provided by the team.
Earlier in the day, Mbappé received positive updates from his teammates regarding his condition. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot commented that a fractured nose is not a serious setback and expects Mbappé to return soon. William Saliba, who spoke with Mbappé, noted that the striker was feeling somewhat better.
Mbappé sustained the injury when he collided with Austria’s Kevin Danso, causing his nose to bleed profusely and staining parts of his French jersey red. If Mbappé continues to play in the tournament, he will need to wear a protective face mask, according to his team.
“I saw him this morning, and he seemed to be improving,” Saliba said through a translator. “He was heading for more tests. I don’t have any further updates, but he looked a bit better this morning.”
