Euro 2024: Lewandowski warns Mbappe on custom mask woes

Robert Lewandowski has cautioned Kylian Mbappe about the potential drawbacks of wearing a custom mask, which could impair his vision and affect his performance. Lewandowski, who had to wear a similar mask in 2015 while playing for Bayern Munich, shared his experience, emphasizing the challenges it posed, particularly in the penalty area.

Mbappe sustained a fractured nose during a league match against Austria last week. Although he was listed on the bench for the game against the Netherlands, he did not play as France ended in a goalless draw.

Recalling his own experience, Lewandowski said, “Wearing a mask was uncomfortable for me. It was particularly troublesome in the penalty area where my reaction time was affected, and my vision was limited.”

He added, “It may only be a few milliseconds, but it can slow a player down. It’s a challenge, although a player’s health is paramount. Given the competitive nature and high emotions, every player wants to be on the field, and I understand the difficulties Mbappe faces.”

Mbappe’s injury occurred after a heavy collision with Austria’s and Lens defender Kevin Danso, leading to a fractured nose. He was taken to the hospital, where it was confirmed that his condition, though not severe, required a recovery period.

Initial reports suggested that Mbappe might be out until the quarterfinals. However, France manager Didier Deschamps including him on the bench against the Netherlands was reassuring for fans.

Deschamps commented on the challenges of playing with the mask, stating, “Breathing is not the issue, but vision is. The mask limits the angle of view slightly. Contact is a risk in all duels regardless of position.” He continued, “Adjusting to the mask feels like wearing 3D glasses. Every day it gets better. Mbappe has been training with us, and the bruise has reduced significantly. He is eager to play and wanted to be on the field against the Netherlands and is equally enthusiastic about playing against Poland.”

Initially, Mbappe wore a mask featuring French flag colors during training. However, UEFA regulations require medical equipment worn on the field to be a single color without team or manufacturer identifiers, making the colorful mask unusable in matches.

France will face Poland at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday (June 25), and a victory would secure them the top spot in the group.