Yahoo Sports Nose his worth: France skipper Mbappé takes to social media to downplay injury
France skipper Kylian Mbappé displayed his fighting spirit to an anxious nation on Tuesday with a call for designs for a face mask that he can wear for the rest of his team's Euro 2024 campaign to protect his broken nose.
Mbappé was left sprawling on the turf at the Düsseldorf Arena after his face smashed into the shoulder of Austria defender Kevin Danso while challenging for a ball in the air in the Austria penalty area.
Action swiftly moved away from the Austria box but Mbappé remained grounded prompting the Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz to summon urgent medical care.
France team doctors who raced on to the pitch to tend their star striker stemmed the blood gushing from his nose over his hands and onto his shirt.
They led him off to administer further treatment on the touch line.
After the game, which France won 1-0, Mbappé was taken to Düsseldorf's university hospital where tests confirmed that he had suffered a broken nose but he would not need surgery.
Mbappé took to social media during the early hours of Tuesday morning – partly to allay concerns that he might miss the rest of the tournament due to the injury – but also to enhance the image of a team playing for an inclusive nation.
"Any ideas for a mask?" read the message on social media.
Suggestions ranging from masks with faces of leading French politicians such as President Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen immediately flooded the platform.
In 2022, Macron was among many who persuaded Mbappé to spurn a move to Real Madrid and remain at Paris Saint-Germain.
With Mbappé restored to the team’s training camp, questions will continue over how long team doctors want to keep him from the action.
