EURO 2024
Why can’t Kylian Mbappé wear a French flag mask against the Netherlands at Euro 2024?
The Real Madrid attacker has been spotted with a ‘tricolore’ mask in training after breaking his nose against Austria.
Most of the pre-match talk surrounding France’s Euro 2024 group stage game against the Netherlands on Friday has centred around the fitness of Kylian Mbappé, who suffered a broken nose in an accidental clash with Kevin Danso at the end of Monday’s win over Austria.
Will Mbappé play for France against the Netherlands?
The day after the matchday one victory, French head coach Didier Deschamps revealed Mbappé would have to have surgery at some point, but didn’t state whether that would take place during the tournament or afterwards, with both options on the table.
On the eve of the game on Thursday, Deschamps then claimed “things are moving in the right direction” in relation to Mbappé's availability, after the 25-year-old had done some training. The player himself posted a somewhat cryptic message on Instagram on Wednesday, saying “without risks, there are no victories,” which gave French fans hope of him featuring against the Dutch.
French media outlet RMC Sport claim the most likely scenario is that Mbappé starts on the bench, with the hope being he will have recovered sufficiently to start in France’s third and final group match against Poland on Tuesday (25 June).
The reason Mbappé won’t wear ‘tricolore’ mask at Euro 2024
Also on Thursday, pictures emerged of the France captain sporting a fetching red, white and blue mask, the colours of the French ‘tricolore,’ although it turns out he won’t be permitted to wear it if he does take to the field in Leipzig, which hasn’t been confirmed by Deschamps either way.
That particular mask also contains his initials, his national team number (10) in between two stars (which presumably represent France’s two World Cups) and the French Football Federation (FFF) logo.
According to UEFA rules on branding and advertising, “medical equipment worn on the playing field must be of a single colour” and “must not allow the team or manufacturer to be identified”.
Although Mbappé won’t, therefore, be allowed to wear the mask that’s been all over social media in the last 24 hours, RMC Sport have also reported that a series of mask have been presented to Mbappé, including plain ones which would meet UEFA guidelines.
France seem to be preparing for their captain being involved in some capacity as they look to secure qualification for the round of 16 at the earliest opportunity. A win against the Netherlands would send them through with a game to spare.