Kylian Mbappe: Adrien Rabiot provides positive Euro 2024 update on France captain's broken nose
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Updated 19/06/2024 at 18:36 GMT
Adrien Rabiot and William Saliba provided a positive update on France captain Kylian Mbappe's broken nose ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with the Netherlands on Friday. Real Madrid's summer signing suffered the grisly injury against Austria on Monday and there were fears the talisman might be sidelined for an extended period. It is still unclear whether Mbappe will feature against the Netherlands.
Mbappe returns to training following nose injury
Kylian Mbappe’s team-mates Adrien Rabiot and William Saliba provided a positive update on the well-being of France’s talisman after he suffered a broken nose.
France Football Federation president Philippe Diallo announced on Tuesday that it was “too soon” to know if the French skipper would be able to continue at Euro 2024.
Mbappe’s nose was fractured in a coming together with Austria’s Kevin Danso on Monday and Real Madrid’s summer signing was subsequently taken for x-rays.
Speaking ahead of France’s clash with the Netherlands on Friday, Rabiot could not confirm his captain’s participation in the match, but dampened down fears he would be out for an extended period.
Rabiot said: “When we talk about Kylian Mbappe’s broken nose, I do not think it is the end of the world. He can recover very fast.
“I also understand that he is not officially ruled out. So, things are not yet confirmed.
“We have an exceptional group of players, so I am not going to complain. But, I am not going to hide my feelings either – we all want him to play [against the Netherlands on Friday].”
Arsenal’s Saliba stated that Mbappe underwent more medical examinations on Wednesday, and that the forward was “feeling better”.
“I saw him [Kylian Mbappe] this morning. He felt a bit better. But, besides that, I do not know. He went to go for further tests, but I do not know much more.
“It is a question you have to ask our team doctor. In any case, the good news is that, when I saw him this morning, he was feeling better.”
Mbappe himself posted on social media asking his followers for mask design ideas.
France manager Didier Deschamps revealed that Mbappe would have to undergo surgery after the tournament, allaying fears that an immediate operation would be necessary.
But it is still unclear whether the former PSG attacker will be available to face the Netherlands, with Rabiot calling his potential absence a “heavy blow”.
“Of course, if Kylian does not recover in time, it is a heavy blow for us,” said Rabiot.
“It is true that Kylian is a very important player for us. He is our captain. He is the leader of our team. So, it will have an effect on us.
“It will also change the way our opponents prepare to play against us.
“Looking at what we have available on the bench, I think we have what it takes to replace Kylian.
“But at the same time, I have full trust in all the great players we have in our team.”
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