France captain Kylian Mbappe is frustrated that he has to use a face mask at Euro 2024 after breaking his nose in the opener against Austria, saying he is yet to have one with a perfect fit.
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Mbappe said on the eve of Monday's last-16 clash with Belgium in Dusseldorf that he would prefer not to wear a mask at all, which however is not possible.
"It is terrible to play with a mask. I am constantly changing it because something bothers me and is not functioning properly," Mbappe said.
"It is difficult to play with a mask. You don't see well, you sweat underneath it. On the first day I felt like I was wearing a pair of 3D glasses, and that it is not me who is playing there. I hate it, it is really irritating. I have changed it five times.
The forward admitted he was a bit more cautious when heading the ball. "I will head it when I have to because my nose is already broken," he said.
Mbappe is the only French player to have scored so far at the Euros, from a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Poland. The 1-0 win against Austria came from an own goal and the other game against the Netherlands, where Mbappe did not play, ended 0-0.
France are yet to score on their own from open play and have not really convinced as pre-tournament favourites, just like Belgium who have also underperformed.
Australian Associated Press
