Kylian Mbappe suffered a knock during France’s 3-0 victory over Luxembourg earlier this month, which limited him to a brief substitute appearance in the subsequent match against Canada. Following that game, France’s manager Didier Deschamps revealed that Mbappe was dealing with “significant bruising” on his knee.
This news has raised concerns among fans about Mbappe’s fitness ahead of France’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria on Monday. Adding to the worries, Mbappe was not seen in Thursday’s public training session, which further fueled speculation about his condition.
According to L’Equipe, no official reason was provided for Mbappe’s absence from the training session. However, insiders suggested that the soon-to-be Real Madrid star was kept out to avoid any potential aggravation of his injury.
This precautionary measure reflects the French team’s cautious approach to ensuring their key player remains fit for the crucial matches ahead.
The French camp has also been dealing with a virus that has affected several players. Kingsley Coman, a winger, missed Thursday’s session due to the illness, while Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate had to leave training early after showing symptoms of the bug.
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni also exited the session prematurely, although this was believed to be part of his recovery plan following a foot injury. Tchouameni’s injury had previously caused him to miss the Champions League final and put his participation in the Euro 2024 tournament in doubt.
Euro 2024 marks Mbappe’s first international tournament as the captain of the French national team. At 25 years old, Mbappe has admitted that he is still acclimating to his new responsibilities.
In an interview with Ouest-France, Mbappe reflected on his expectations and the challenges he faces as a high-profile captain. He stated, “What do I expect from myself? Help my team. I think I’m still learning my role as captain. Honestly, it’s tough being such a high-profile captain. I take up a lot of space.”
Mbappe emphasized his desire to share the spotlight with his teammates, acknowledging that their collective effort is crucial to winning. “I try to give as much light as possible to others, so that everyone has their space, because I will not win alone. I want to be happy, too. Let the group be happy. And we win, of course.
That’s why we play,” he said. Reflecting on his past successes with the French national team, including winning the Nations League and the World Cup,
Mbappe expressed his ambition to add a Euro title to his achievements. “With France, I won the Nations League and the World Cup. I only have the Euro left. The last edition was difficult, so winning this one would give me immense pleasure.”
As France prepares for their Euro 2024 campaign, the team and fans alike are hopeful that Mbappe will recover fully in time to lead them to victory. His presence on the field is crucial, and his ability to inspire and elevate his teammates will be a key factor in France’s quest for the title.
The cautious approach to his training and the ongoing management of his injury underline the importance of maintaining his fitness for the tournament. Despite the recent challenges, Mbappe remains focused on his goals and committed to his role as captain, aiming to bring joy and success to the French team and its supporters.
