France head coach Didier Deschamps has addressed injury fears regarding star attacker Kylian Mbappe ahead of Euro 2024.
Mbappe has been selected in Deschamps’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany and the forward was on the scoresheet in a 3-0 friendly win over Luxembourg last Wednesday.
The 25-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes in that match, was then named on the substitutes’ bench for Sunday’s 0-0 friendly draw with Canada and came on for just the final 15 minutes.
A report from L’Equipe claims that Mbappe has recently been struggling with a back problem, but he was deemed fit enough to make a brief appearance as a substitute against Canada.
It has also been reported that Mbappe is carrying a knee injury, which forced him to sit out of a training session for Les Bleus ahead of their friendly clash with Canada.
Mbappe, Deschamps ease injury fears ahead of Euro 2024
With just seven days remaining until France square off against Austria in their opening Euro 2024 Group D fixture, both Mbappe and his manager Deschamps have delivered a fitness update.
Explaining Mbappe’s limited role in the draw with Canada, Deschamps told reporters: “Kylian received a blow during the last match (against Luxembourg) on Wednesday and before the (training) session, there was significant bruising on the knee.
“He had treatment, he was much better today, but even if he wanted to play everything, there was no risk to take.”
Mbappe also spoke to the media after the match and stated that his recovery from a few untimely knocks is “going very well”, providing French supporters with a huge boost ahead of Euro 2024.
The soon-to-be Real Madrid star is regarded as one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot award at this summer’s tournament after scoring 44 goals in 48 games during his final season at Paris Saint-Germain in 2023-24.
Tchouameni a doubt for Euro 2024 opener
While Mbappe’s injury fears have been eased, there are still concerns over midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who did not feature in either of France’s two warm-up matches and is doubt for next Monday’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria.
Tchouameni sustained a foot injury last month and subsequently missed Real Madrid’s Champions League final triumph against Borussia Dortmund.
The potential absence of Tchouameni against Austria could see Deschamps hand a start to N’Golo Kante, who impressed in midfield against Canada.
“For anyone who had doubts over [Kante’s] ability and his intensity, he is still at the same level,” Deschamps told reporters on Sunday. “He is a great player, I have a lot of great players in the midfield. He has had a great season, allowing him to remain at the same level. He showed that he is still in possession of all of his abilities.”
Deschamps’s 26-man squad are now preparing to travel to their Euro 2024 base camp in Paderborn.