Euro 2024: Kylian Mbappe ‘a bit better’ after broken nose, teammate William Saliba says

The superstar broke his nose in an aerial collision during the win against Austria and must wear a face mask if he plays on at the tournament

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France’s Kylian Mbappe leaves the pitch after breaking his nose in a collision during the Group D match against Austria in Duesseldorf on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:00am, 20 Jun 2024Updated: 5:36am, 20 Jun 2024

France striker Kylian Mbappe is feeling a “bit better”, teammate William Saliba said on Wednesday, ahead of undergoing more tests on a facial injury sustained in the team’s opening game of the European Championship.

Mbappe broke his nose in an aerial collision during the 1-0 win against Austria on Monday and will have to wear a face mask if he plays on at the tournament.

France’s next match is against Netherlands on Friday and the team has yet to officially confirm whether Mbappe is available.

Kylian Mbappe broke his nose in this collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso. Photo: Reuters

“I saw him this morning, he was a bit better,” Saliba said at a press conference. “I think he was off to do more tests. I don’t know anything more.

“But when I saw him this morning he was a bit better.”

Mbappe does not require immediate surgery, the French football federation has said.

Speaking after Saliba, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot said he predicted Mbappe to return soon and compared the injury to one suffered by Rabiot’s teammate at Juventus, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.