By Bilal Ahmed
Kylian Mbappe, the France star, has downplayed a recent ankle injury sustained during his nation’s World Cup quarter-final match against Morocco. Despite exiting the game in the 77th minute, Mbappe stated he was “completely fine” and that the injury was minor.
During the match, Mbappe opened the scoring for France in the second half, contributing to their 2-0 victory. This goal brought him level with Lionel Messi’s eight goals in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot. Earlier in the first half, Mbappe had a penalty saved by Yassine Bounou after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui.
The forward was seen raising his arm to the bench and lying on the ground during open play before being substituted. He did not appear to be in extreme distress and was later seen with ice on his right foot while sitting on the France bench. After the final whistle, Mbappe walked back onto the Gillette Stadium pitch, smiling and celebrating with his teammates in front of their fans.
Injury Update and Future Matches
Following the match, Mbappe confirmed his condition. “I have a minor ankle injury, but I’m completely fine,” he said, explaining that teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta was in a better position to play the remaining minutes. Coach Didier Deschamps also provided an update, stating that Mbappe had “a slight pain in his ankle, but nothing serious.”
France will now prepare for a semi-final match in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14. Their opponent will be either Spain or Belgium. Mbappe has played 90 minutes in previous matches against Senegal and Paraguay, with coach Deschamps providing precautionary rests in games against Iraq, Norway, and Sweden.
When asked about their next opponent, Mbappe expressed indifference. “It doesn’t matter to me. If it’s Belgium, then it’s Belgium. If it’s Spain, then it’s Spain. We’ll see what happens. It’s a semifinal, and it’s always going to be a difficult match,” he commented.
Embracing Leadership and Team Dynamics
Mbappe also discussed his evolving role within the French national team, acknowledging that he has embraced a leadership position, particularly off the field. He highlighted his strong bond with many of his teammates, some of whom he has known for years, and noted that younger players now look to him as one of the more experienced members of the squad.
“I have to set an example for the team, especially from an emotional standpoint, because what happens on the field is about football,” Mbappe stated. He emphasized his experience in World Cup matches, which he believes is his responsibility to pass on to his teammates. He reiterated that his focus is on the team’s success, stating, “We’re in the semifinals and we’re very happy, but there’s still a long way to go.”
The France captain also reflected on eliminating his close friend Achraf Hakimi and Morocco from the tournament. He noted that while there are no emotions on the pitch during competition, seeing Hakimi again in the dressing room would be more difficult due to their friendship. Mbappe also addressed comparisons between the current squad and the 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning team, stating that while the current team has potential, the strongest teams are those that win trophies.
The team remains focused on the challenges ahead, understanding that the upcoming matches will be even tougher. France will face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-final on Tuesday, July 14.
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Source: nytimes.com
