France captain Kylian Mbappe expressed his frustration with playing while wearing a mask, describing the experience as “absolutely horrible.”
The 25-year-old striker sustained a broken nose following a collision during France’s 1-0 victory against Austria in their opening game of Euro 2024. After missing the subsequent goalless draw with the Netherlands, Mbappe returned to the field, scoring in the 1-1 draw with Poland.
Despite his return to form, he found wearing the protective mask uncomfortable. As he prepares to lead his team in the Euro 2024 last-16 match against Belgium on Monday, Mbappe’s discomfort with the mask remains a challenge.
“I didn’t think it would be, but playing with a mask is absolutely horrible,” Mbappe said before the Belgium game in Dusseldorf.
“I have changed [the mask] because every time there was something that wasn’t right.
“It is really difficult. It limits your vision and the sweat gets blocked up so you have to take it off to let it run away.
“As soon as I can take it off I will do, but I don’t have a choice. That is how my tournament is going to be. I can only play like that.
“It is really annoying, but I have to just say thanks to the mask.”
Mbappe’s goal against Poland was a penalty, meaning France are yet to score from open play at the tournament.
“It’s not the group matches anymore,” boss Didier Deschamps said. “It’s a new competition within the competition.
“You have to be efficient. To win matches, you have to score. That’s not done by snapping your fingers, but you need to move the cursor [closer to goal].”
In the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, France secured a 1-0 victory en route to claiming the championship.
Similarly, Belgium secured their spot in the next round by drawing 0-0 against Ukraine after finishing second in their group.
Despite both teams’ slow starts, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco is optimistic, pointing to the chances they are creating as signs that their fortunes will soon change.
“The quality and quantity of chances we made in the first three games was unbelievable,” he said.
“It is unbelievable that we scored only two goals in three games, and France too, but this is football.”
Belgium were booed after the goalless draw with Ukraine, but midfielder Orel Mangala believes the fans will be behind them on Monday.
“I believe that has been cleared up,” he said.
“I can understand that [reaction]. We we were all frustrated. Now we are facing a new match and I hope that all the fans stand with us and we’ll play with a lot of imagination.”