French team plays Belgium, Mbappe fears being defeated by opponent

"I know that when I'm playing with a broken nose and I can't have surgery yet, I'll be their target," striker Kylian Mbappe said at a press conference ahead of the match between France and Belgium in the round of 16 of Euro 2024.

Mbappe broke his nose in the opening group stage match against Austria, but instead of undergoing surgery immediately after the match, the French striker was determined to play at Euro 2024 to help his team win the tournament in Germany.

Mbappe had to play with a mask after breaking his nose in the opening match against Austria (Photo: Getty).

"When I got hit hard in the face, I didn't really understand what was happening. I didn't feel like my nose was broken. It was only when I looked at the goalkeeper and saw his expression that I thought something was wrong with me," Mbappe recalled of his injury.

"When I got back to the locker room, with everything going on around me, I thought I was going to be out of the tournament. At first, it was very difficult because there was so much information, so many appointments, but I didn't sleep much. I spent two nights without sleep.

And it was really difficult sitting on the bench against the Netherlands in the second match of the group stage, when I knew that I could not play. I felt quite helpless. But luckily, I was able to play against Poland later," Mbappe expressed.

Despite having to play with a mask to protect his nose, Mbappe said he still feels happy to be able to contribute to the French team, especially in the very important match against Belgium tonight.

"I knew what I was fighting for when I decided not to have surgery and to continue playing. This injury could be difficult and it could come back. But I am ready to give everything I can for this shirt and to help France go as far as possible.

If this situation gives the opponent an opportunity to target my nose, then so be it. It's broken anyway," the 25-year-old striker said ahead of the match against Belgium.

Mbappe said he is struggling to adapt to wearing a mask, as the French striker has had to change to 5 different masks to adapt better.

"Wearing a mask is actually horrible. I keep changing it because every time something bothers me it becomes worse. It's quite difficult to play with a mask on because it limits your vision and sweat builds up.

The first few days, I felt like I was wearing 3D glasses. As soon as I could take that mask off, I would. But now I have no choice. I can't play without the mask, it's really uncomfortable and I've changed it more than five times," Mbappe concluded.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/doi-tuyen-phap-dai-chien-bi-mbappe-lo-ngai-bi-doi-thu-triet-ha-20240701123551084.htm