Kylian Mbappe has played off injury fears ahead of Euro 2024, after being benched in France’s final warm-up game against Canada.
Les Blues were held to a goalless draw on Sunday, with Mbappe starting on the bench and coming on in the final 15 minutes.
The attacker, whose move to Real Madrid was confirmed last week, did not train with the national squad on Saturday, just nine days before the Euros begin in Germany. France’s campaign begins against Austria on Monday, June 17.
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According to L’Equipe, Mbappe has been dealing with a back ailment, but he was deemed fit enough to come off the bench and play late in Bordeaux.
According to reports, the 25-year-old has been suffering from a knee condition, but Mbappe exited the stadium on Sunday night with no outward indications of injury, telling reporters, ‘It is going very well’ as he made his way through the mixed zone.
France coach Deschamps also batted down injury concerns, claiming that his captain’s bruises had begun to heal.
‘Kylian was injured during the previous encounter (3-0 against Luxembourg in Metz on Wednesday), and there was severe bruising on his knee before the training yesterday (Saturday).
‘He received therapy, and he felt much better today (Sunday), but there was no risk in playing everything.’
Mbappe’s new Real Madrid teammate, Aurélien Tchouaméni, also missed Sunday’s game and is expected to miss France’s opening group stage match against Austria.
The midfielder, who scored against England in France’s quarter-final victory in Qatar, sustained a foot injury in May and missed the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
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