Kylian Mbappe felt like he was in a virtual reality game when he played with a mask to protect his broken nose at the European Championship.
The French star was smiling as he told this anecdote on Sunday on the eve of facing the Belgium in the round of 16. But it is clear that he is not enjoying playing his role as the masked man of Euro 2024 – “an absolute horror”he said.
“In the first game, I felt like I was playing in 3D”Mbappe told reporters, placing his hands on the sides of his head and miming wearing a virtual reality headset (VR). “I saw people, but I had the impression that it wasn’t me who was playing”he said of his return to play in the 1-1 draw against Poland mardi.
Mbappé’s nose was broken in a accidental collision with the shoulder of an Austrian defender during the 1-0 victory of the France in its first match on June 17. Without its captain and its main scorer, France drew 0-0 with the The Netherlands and, for his masked return, he played timidly but scored from the penalty spot in a second consecutive draw.
“It’s really difficult. It limits your vision, the sweat gets stuck and you have to keep lifting it to get it out.”explained Mbappé. “As soon as I can take it off, I will. It’s annoying. Now I have no choice, I can’t play without it. So, I have to say thank you to the mask”did he declare.
These two draws have caused France to fall to second place in the group D – won by Austria – and propelled the Blues into the top half of the table, something few people expected.
Belgium also unexpectedly found themselves in the top half of the table, finishing second in their group against Romaniaafter a 0-0 draw with l’Ukraine to the jeers of his supporters.
This resulted in a remake of a semi-final of the World Cup 2018 which France won 1-0 six years ago, allowing Mbappé to play a leading role in the final.
The winner of Monday’s match at Düsseldorf will struggle to qualify for the final. Portugal, who face Slovenia on Monday, could find themselves in the quarter-finals, while Germany and Spain could be semi-final opponents.
“The teams that are considered the big nations on paper, we do everything we can to stay in the game”said Didier Deschampsthe coach of the French team. “But actually it’s something quite intense, very, very intense.”
Deschamps admits his team didn’t score, but at least they got their biggest threat back. The president of the French Football Federation (FFF) said: “Physically, I feel good”Mbappé said. “I am ready to sacrifice myself for the team”.
