'It's really annoying!' - Kylian Mbappe vents frustration over custom France mask that was remade five times as injured Real Madrid forward reacts to talk of becoming a ‘target’ for rivals

The World Cup winner is yet to find a version that he is completely happy with, but is having to make do for now. That is because he is required by his country to continue leading a bid for Euro 2024 glory. There were fears that his tournament may be over after taking a heavy blow to the face in the first round of ground stage fixtures, but he is now preparing to face Belgium in the last 16.

Mbappe has said of wearing a mask that makes life on the pitch more difficult than it should be and how the production of that contraption went: “Each time there was something wrong. It’s really difficult because it limits your vision and the sweat clogs up. Initially I felt I was in 3D and I’d been invited to the Euros as a VIP. I could see the people but I felt it wasn’t me playing. As soon as I can take it off, I will. Right now I’ve got no choice, I can’t play without it. It’s really annoying. But it’s not going to be an excuse because that’s the only way I can play. I have to say thank you to the masks.”

He added on discovering that he had shattered his nose against Austria: “I didn’t think much about it at the time. I didn’t really know what was happening to me, I didn’t feel like I’d broken my nose. It was more looking at the opponent’s goalkeeper’s face that made me think there was something wrong. But afterwards it was a bit scary because I told myself I was going home. I saw myself in the mirror, that was a bad idea but I’m happy I’m here.”

Mbappe was left out of a meeting with the Netherlands, as he remained an unused substitute, but registered his first European Championship goal from the penalty spot against Poland. He is now prepared to put his body on the line again in knockout football, even if opponents single him out for rough treatment. He said of becoming a target: “I knew what I was signing up for when I decided I wasn’t going to go home. If I get hit, my nose is already broken, what else can someone do?”

France will be in action against Belgium on Monday, with that fixture taking place in Dusseldorf. The winners will move a step closer to ultimate glory and line up a quarter-final date with either Portugal or Slovenia.