Kylian Mbappe gives fitness update after Euro 2024 injury scare

Kylian Mbappe has played down injury fears ahead of Euro 2024 with the France star benched in their final warm-up game against Canada.

Les Blues were held a goalless draw on Sunday with Mbappe starting on the bench, coming on for the final 15 minutes.

The forward, whose move to Real Madrid was confirmed last week, missed training with the national team on Saturday just nine days before the Euros kick off in Germany with France’s campaign beginning against Austria on Monday 17 June.

L’Equipe reported Mbappe had been struggling with a back problem but he was deemed fit enough to come off the bench and feature late on in Bordeaux.

Reports have also claimed the 25-year-old has also been suffering with a knee problem but Mbappe left the stadium without any visible signs of injury on Sunday night, telling reporters ‘It is going very well’ as he made his way through the mixed zone.

France boss Deschamps also played down injury fears, explaining the bruising his captain had suffered had begun to subside.

‘Kylian received a blow during the last match (the 3-0 against Luxembourg on Wednesday in Metz) and yesterday (Saturday) before the session, there was significant bruising on the knee.

‘He had treatment, he was much better today (on Sunday) but even if he wanted to play everything, there was no risk to take.’

Mbappe’s new Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni also missed Sunday’s game and is also expected to miss France’s opening group march against Austria.

The midfielder, who scored against England in France’s quarter-final win in Qatar, suffered a foot injury in May, missing the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

Having missed both warm up games against Luxembourg and Canada, he is unlikely to feature until the second group game against Netherlands on 21 June. N’Golo Kante is expected to start in his place.

France are among the favourites to win Euro 2024 after reaching the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar 18 months ago.

Their last Euros campaign ended in woeful fashion however, crashing out at the last stage after a penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland.

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