Kylian Mbappé trained Thursday wearing a mask and coach Didier Deschamps is hopeful that his star player would be available when France takes on Netherlands in Friday’s Euro Championship group game.
Mbappé spent some time fidgeting with his new headgear before he joined his teammates in running exercises. He lifted it up to speak to Olivier Giroud, then put it back on again as he stretched between Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.
Some of his teammates appeared to be poking fun at the forward, who had the French flag on his face — blue over his right eye, and red over his left.
Mbappé appeared to take part in full training exercises with the team after the stretching.
“Everything is going well, after the shock we had. He was able to take part is some light exercises yesterday and that will be the same this evening. Everything is evolving in the right direction,” Deschamps said Thursday. “We’ll do all we can to ensure that he’ll be available tomorrow.”
Mbappé broke his nose in France’s opening 1-0 win over Austria on Monday when his face collided with Austria defender Kevin Danso’s shoulder as he was trying to head the ball. Blood stained his white France jersey. If he plays, he’ll need to wear a mask.
“Kylian will be wearing a mask,” Deschamps confirmed to journalists. “We don’t need to know the details of this mask. I think you have enough moles to know where the mask is coming from.”
Mbappé returned to light training on Wednesday after undergoing tests on his nose injury.
Buildup to Friday’s match has been dominated by speculation on whether or not the France captain can play.
“Without risks, there are no victories,” Mbappé had written on Instagram.
If he does play, the Real Madrid-bound star will hope to finally score at a European Championship at the sixth attempt. Mbappé has 47 goals in 80 games for France, including 12 in qualifying for the Euros, but he’s yet to score in five games at the tournament.
France and the Netherlands are level on three points in Group D. The Dutch came from behind to beat Poland 2-1 and France needed an own goal to beat Austria.
France has won seven of the teams’ last eight meetings including home and away victories in qualifying.
