“My arm is just too strong for you” - Kevin Danso’s cheeky jibe at Kylian Mbappe resurfaces after collision that led to broken nose at Euro 2024
Austria defender Kevin Danso's cheeky comments towards Kylian Mbappe have resurfaced after the two met in a Euro 2024 clash on Monday, July 17. France ended up beating Austria 1-0 at the Dusseldorf Arena. However, towards the end of the game, the pair went up for the ball, which ended in the French superstar injuring his nose.
Although Mbappe won the ball, his nose smashed into Danso's shoulder on the follow-through. In light of the incident, the Lens defender's comments about his previous encounters with the new Real Madrid signing have resurfaced.
Opening up about his battles with the forward from his time with Paris Saint-Germain, Danso told Spox in early June this year (via Football Ghana):
"I try to start a conversation with Mbappe during games to throw him off track. Once I took the ball from him and shouted: 'My arm is just too strong for you, you can't get past me!' He said: 'yes, yes!' Then I said: 'Okay try again!' Situations like that give me confidence."
Overall, the pair have faced off against each other on eight occasions across competitions, with Mbappe ending up on the winning team four times. Although he failed to dominate Danso in their latest meeting, France ended up victorious, courtesy of Maximilian Wober's own goal (38').
It is unsure if Mbappe will be available for Les Blues' next match against the Netherlands on Friday, June 21. Meanwhile, Austria face Poland on the same day.
French Football Federation says Kylian Mbappe will be provided with a custom mask to resume Euro 2024 campaign
France are sweating on Kylian Mbappe's availability for their next match against the Netherlands after the forward suffered a broken nose against Austria.
Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps has clarified that he too is unsure when Mbappe could return. However, the French Football Federation (FFF) will provide their attacker with a custom mask to help him continue in Euro 2024.
A statement from FFF read (via GOAL):
"A mask will be made so as to allow the number 10 of the French team to consider resuming competition after a period devoted to treatment."
Mbappe's absence will be a huge blow to France, given he has scored 47 goals for the country in 79 matches. Moreover, he is in incredible form after bagging 44 goals in 48 matches across competitions for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023-24.