French star Kylian Mbappé was already a man in the spotlight, but now he has hit the headlines for a whole new reason after a painful injury at Euro 2024.
Mbappe feared he would miss some time in the tournament after the 25-year-old forward suffered a broken nose in an aerial collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso in France’s first Group D match.
The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, has confirmed that Mbappé’s time at the Euro Cup will continue, although he will have to take precautions.
“That the tournament will be taken away from Mbappé is not the case,” Diallo said at a press conference the morning after the injury occurred.
So how will the French star return to the field in such a short time after suffering such a serious injury?
Was confirmed by the FFFand Even Mbappé himself Immediately after sustaining the injury, you should wear a protective mask. Jugo Mobile brings you everything you need to know about why he’ll be wearing the mask, what it’s for and which other football players have been seen sporting the same look in recent years.
Why will Kylian Mbappé have to wear a mask?
To protect his broken nose from further injury, Kylian Mbappé will wear a protective mask when he returns to the field with France at Euro 2024.
This will help Mbappe be protected should he suffer another blow to the same area, which would not only be incredibly painful but could also cause long-term damage.
Des ideas of masks ???
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappé) June 17, 2024
Kylian Mbappé mask: the star wears the French tricolor in training
On June 20, images emerged of Mbappé wearing a mask for the first time while France trained ahead of their group match against the Netherlands.
The striker was seen sporting the red, white and blue of the French flag. UEFA rules stipulate that he would have to wear a simple mask if he takes the field wearing one. Mbappé was named among the substitutes to face the Dutch.
??MBAPPÉ TRAINS WITH A MASK.
? Kylian, ‘ready’ to return to the playing fields as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/5bvyQpdjMC
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) June 20, 2024
How does a mask help when playing soccer?
Made from polycarbonate materials, the masks help players who suffer facial injuries return to the field safely without needing to fully heal.
Typical injuries, such as muscle strains and broken bones, are not only painful but also directly impact a player’s ability to perform and therefore must fully heal before that inpidual can return to the field and be themselves. .
However, other injuries such as nose fractures, orbital fractures or other bumps and bruises to the face do not directly affect performance. Therefore, it would not be necessary for the inpidual to remain sidelined while fully recovering.
The mask, therefore, helps to keep the player protected against re-injury to the same location should he experience another blunt force trauma to the area, which is the greatest risk of returning before an injury such as a broken nose occurs. has completely healed. Since the injury will not affect his ability to play football, he can see the field as long as he has healed enough that the pain does not affect his performance and the mask is sufficient to protect the injury.
Prominent players will wear masks in soccer
Several football players have worn protective masks in the recent past.
Several of them were visible at the 2022 World Cup or other major tournaments, worn by notable players such as young Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, Tottenham star Heung-Min Son and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Gvardiol wore his at the 2022 World Cup after suffering a broken nose, similar to Mbappe’s, in a collision with an RB Leipzig teammate before the FIFA tournament.
Son made headlines for his face protection after a collision with Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba in a Champions League match. The Spurs forward publicly noted that he had a hard time seeing the ball through the mask, but wore it anyway because “my parents, my friends, my family watching in South Korea are all worried. Obviously, it’s a risk if someone hits me again.” .
Osimhen, however, felt otherwise. The Napoli striker initially began wearing the mask in 2021 after a nasty clash of heads with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar that required an operation, with 18 screws and a plate inserted into his face. “Fortunately, some factors helped us and the eye was able to return to its orbit,” said the plastic surgeon who assisted in the operation.
Naples Team doctor Roberto Ruggiero said Last February, although Osimhen was cured long ago, he still wears the protective cover because it gives him a sense of security.
