KYLIAN MBAPPE thought his Euros was over after breaking his nose — but intends to keep putting his body on the line for France.
Les Bleus and their captain return to Dusseldorf today for their last-16 tie against Belgium — in the stadium where Mbappe snapped his schnozz late on against Austria in their group opener.
The Real Madrid-bound star, 25, has admitted he thought he could be going home after realising how serious his injury was — and revealed just how much he hates playing with a mask.
Mbappe said: “When I took the blow to the face I didn’t understand what was going on — I didn’t feel my nose was broken. But I saw the goalkeeper’s face and thought: ‘Something is wrong.’
“I thought I was going home. I looked in the mirror and thought it was a bad thing to send me home.
“It was difficult, I spent two nights without sleeping.
“I wasn’t able to play against Holland and it was very difficult to sit on the bench. I felt helpless. But I could play against Poland so I am very happy.”
Mbappe has trained with five different masks — and tried on even more at the French hotel — but cannot wait to get it off.
He added: “It is horrible playing with a mask.
“I keep changing because there is something that bothers me.
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“It is difficult to play because it limits vision, the sweat clogs up. The first few days felt like I was wearing 3D glasses — as soon as I can get it off I will but I don’t have a choice.
“I hate it, it is really annoying. You have seen pictures of five masks but in the evening I’ve had different trials.
“This is not an excuse for me as it is the only way I can play.”
The fact Mbappe has not had his nose operated on — which would have ended his Euros — means he runs the risk of hurting it even more.
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski caught him in the face in their final group game — prompting an X-rated response from the France star.
But Mbappe knows his weak spot will make him a target for some rough treatment.
He added: “It is a possibility when you are playing with a broken nose and haven’t had it operated. You are a target. He didn’t do it on purpose. It hurt me.
“I knew what I was signing up for when I decided I wasn’t going to go home, not going to get the operation done and stay and play.
“Is it easy? No. But I know what I signed up for.
“I will give everything I can for France to go as far as possible. If I get hit my nose is already broken. What else can someone do?”
The same mentality applies to solving France’s issues in front of goal. Les Bleus are yet to score from open play in Germany.
While Mbappe has not headed a single ball since breaking his nose, the talisman is ready to put himself in harm’s way once again if needed.
He said: “I always want to score goals but the most important thing is for the team to score goals, not me.
“Can I head the ball? I am not going to lie, I haven’t headed the ball since I broke my nose but if I need to I will do it.”
Mbappe has been involved in both of France’s goals so far.
His cross was turned in by Austria’s Maximilian Wober to win the opener here in Dusseldorf before he netted from the spot against Poland.
The captain could do with a helping hand from his fellow forwards against Belgium — who have also failed to hit top gear in Germany.
But Mbappe has told his teammates they must not get hung up on missed chances.
He said: “We’re not scoring because we’ve got chances and are not hitting the back of the net.
“From my experience, we need to get out of our heads.
“What is most important is to create chances, and of course score the goals but I don’t think any of the players got in front of the goalkeeper and thought ‘I am going to miss.’
“It was problematic for us in the group but we are in a different competition now.
“We need to pull our socks up and create . . . but also score.”
