Alarms were raised at both Real Madrid and the French national team when Kylian Mbappé was seen clutching his bloodied nose after a forceful collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso while attempting to head the ball. Fears of a fracture and the need for surgery were initially prevalent. However, his recovery has been progressing well, and optimism is growing that the injury is merely a nasal deviation.
Missed Match and Potential Return with a Mask
The French star missed the match against the Netherlands, which took place four days after the injury. However, he could make a comeback against Poland on Tuesday in their final group stage match, wearing a custom-made mask. His recovery is outpacing expectations, and while it is not confirmed, the injury could be less severe than initially announced. Further observation is needed to determine whether surgery is required.
Real Madrid’s Goal: Super Cup Appearance
Regardless of the extent of the injury, Real Madrid’s objective is for Mbappé to be fit enough to play in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta on August 14th in Warsaw. This would mark the Frenchman’s debut in the white jersey, with the first title of the season on the line. In the worst-case scenario, he would still be able to play in the match even if surgery is necessary. If France reaches the Euro 2020 final, he would undergo surgery on the 15th or 16th, and the estimated recovery time is one month maximum, meaning he would still be available for the final but with very little time to prepare.
Best-Case Scenario: No Surgery, Possible Vacation
In the best-case scenario, where the injury is confirmed to be a nasal deviation, surgery would not be required. This would mean no issues with his ability to play in Warsaw, and he might even be able to take a vacation depending on France’s progress in the Euros.
The club is expected to officially announce Mbappé’s signing within the next week, although an official presentation date has not yet been set. However, once the announcement is made, the full extent of his nasal injury will be known.
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