France’s star Kylian Mbappe opens up on his experience of playing with a face mask to protect his broken nose in the ongoing European Championship (Euro) 2024 ahead of their Round of 16 match against Belgium in Dusseldorf.
Mbappe broke his nose in an accidental collision with Austria’s defender during a group match after which he left the field and stayed on the bench for their next game against the Netherlands.
He returned to the playing XI in the last group match against Poland and scored a penalty with the match ending 1-1.
France will now have a big task ahead as they face Belgium in their Round of 16 match and should they emerge victorious, they will face one of Portugal or Slovenia in the quarters and then one of Germany or Spain in the semifinals.
Talking on the eve of the Belgium match, Mbappe stated that playing in the face mask felt like he was playing in 3D.
“I had the impression in the first game that I was playing in 3D," Mbappe told reporters. “I saw people but I had the feeling it was not me that was playing,” he said of his comeback in a 1-1 draw against Poland on Tuesday.
Mbappe further added that playing with the mask limits one’s vision which makes it difficult to perform on the field.
“It’s really difficult. It limits the vision, the sweat stays blocked so you have to keep lifting it to flow out,” Mbappe said. “As soon as I can take it off, I will. It’s annoying, it’s annoying, it’s annoying.”
“Now, I don’t have a choice, I can’t play without. So, I have to say thank you to the mask. Physically, I feel good. I’m ready to sacrifice myself for the team.”