Kylian Mbappe leads France into the Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Portugal, yet to hit top form despite recent challenges.
After a season of speculation at PSG and a facial injury in the tournament opener, Mbappe, 25, faces Portugal in Hamburg with a protective mask.
He expressed discomfort with the mask, likening it to watching the tournament through virtual reality goggles rather than actively participating.
France has reached the quarter-finals despite scoring only three goals in four matches, with Mbappe contributing a penalty in a draw with Poland and two own goals.
Despite opportunities, France’s Expected Goals (XG) nearly reach seven, exceeded only by Spain, Portugal, and Germany. Mbappe’s personal XG stands at 2.54, rivaled only by Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany’s Kai Havertz.
Mbappe, a standout in France’s World Cup triumphs in Russia and Qatar, where he scored a hat-trick against Argentina, has struggled to replicate this success in the Euros.
His sole goal in seven Euro appearances remains a penalty against Poland, contrasting with his 12 World Cup goals. Frustratingly, Mbappe failed to score in the Euros three years ago and missed a crucial penalty in France’s shootout loss to Switzerland.
“My Euros didn’t start as I’d hoped, but I’m focused on team success,” Mbappe stated before the victory over Belgium. “The Euros are the one title I haven’t won with the national team, and I’m determined to change that.”
Assistant coach Guy Stephan revealed Mbappe’s ongoing adjustment following his nose injury from Austria’s Kevin Danso, describing it as a source of trauma.
Mbappe’s final season at PSG, marked by contractual disputes and sporadic playtime, may have further affected his form.
Despite these challenges, Mbappe finds motivation in facing Portugal, particularly against his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe’s long-awaited move to Real Madrid fulfills a dream nurtured since his youth, inspired by Ronaldo’s influence. Their paths intertwined when Mbappe visited Madrid as a young prospect, meeting Ronaldo and former coach Zinedine Zidane.
As Mbappe prepares to lead Real Madrid, succeeding Ronaldo’s illustrious tenure, his immediate focus remains on advancing past Portugal to keep France’s Euro title dreams alive and possibly ending Ronaldo’s international career in the process.
Source: NDTV
