Tag: Kylian Mbappe

Watch: Mbappe scores goal on Real Madrid debut

It didn’t take long for the ex-PSG star to make a big impact at Real Madrid

It didn’t take Kylian Mbappé long to make a big impact at Real Madrid.

The French superstar made his Madrid debut on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, and scored his first goal for his new club in the 68th minute.

With Madrid already up 1-0, Vinicius Jr. played a ball across the box that went untouched until Jude Bellingham picked it up in the corner. The England star smartly pulled the ball back toward the penalty spot, where Mbappé ran onto it and guided a shot into the corner.

That would be the final goal of the match, as Madrid kicked off the season with a trophy by defeating the Italian side 2-0.

Mbappé finally made his long-awaited transfer to Madrid this summer, joining the La Liga champion as a free agent after seven seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old made his debut in the Super Cup after skipping the club’s preseason tour of the United States.

His league debut will likely come on Sunday as the Blancos kick off their La Liga title defense against Mallorca.

Watch Mbappe score on Real Madrid debut

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Report: Mbappe will skip Real Madrid summer tour of USA

Fans in the U.S. hoping to see the France star are set for a letdown

Real Madrid will be missing its biggest new attraction when it goes on a preseason tour of the United States.

According to The Athletic, Kylian Mbappé will not take part in the team’s three-game tour of the U.S., which begins later this month.

Mbappé was officially presented as a Real Madrid player this week, after finally completing a long-rumored switch from French power PSG.

The 25-year-old was asked at his presentation if he would take part in the U.S. tour and replied: “If the club wants me to go, I will go.”

The Champions League and La Liga winners are set for three friendlies in the U.S. as they ramp up preparations for the 2024-25 campaign.

Madrid will face AC Milan in Chicago on July 31, Barcelona in New Jersey on August 3, and will complete its tour with a game against Chelsea in Charlotte on August 6.

Rather than partake in any of those games, Mbappé will reportedly get an extended break and join up with his new teammates on August 7 upon their return to Madrid.

The France star’s Madrid debut would then likely come on August 14 in the European Super Cup against Atalanta in Warsaw, Poland.

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Kylian Mbappe’s broken-nose luck finally ran out after he took a header to the face against Portugal

Kylian Mbappe’s already broken nose took some more damage during Friday’s quarterfinal match.

France superstar Kylian Mbappe has had a new element to his match equipment at the Euro 2024.

After breaking his nose during group stages, Mbappe — who received quite a few hilarious mask suggestions from fans — initially debuted a superhero-esque mask based on the French flag that earned him the nickname “Captain France” by some.

Mbappe has had pretty decent luck since the injury, avoiding any major aggravations. But that potentially changed during Friday’s quarterfinal match against Portugal, in which Mbappe took a header to the face at point-blank range.

While the ball didn’t hit his nose directly, it did cause the mask to hit into his nose, as the announcers noted.

Mbappe was visibly shaken and in pain as he lay on the ground after the hit, but he was able to brush it off and remain in the game.

While his streak of avoiding hits to the face ended on Friday, it seems he avoided causing further damage. Still, it will be something to watch if France can advance to the Euro semifinal for the first time since 2016, when it ultimately finished as the runner-up. Les Bleus are looking to win their first Euro since 2000.

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Euro 2024: Portugal vs. France odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Portugal vs. France odds and lines, with Euro 2024 expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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France battles Portugal in a quarterfinal match of Euro 2024 from Volksparkstadion Friday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Portugal vs. France odds, and make our best Euro 2024 bets, picks and predictions.

For a team of its caliber attack, France certainly had an underwhelming group stage. France finished 2nd its 1st 3 Group D games, winning 1 match and drawing the other 2 while ending with just 2 goals for and 1 against.  However it still advanced and beat Belgium 1-0 Monday, a match in which the lone score was an own goal by Belgian D Jan Vertonghen. France did end with 14 more shots and 55.1% of the possession.

Portugal advanced from the Round of 16 by winning on penalty kicks, 3-0  over Slovenia. It ended the 120 minutes with 10 more shots, 4 more shots on frame and 73% possession. The most concerning part of Portugak’s recent performances has been its attack as it has been held scoreless in 2 straight games. It went 2-0-1 (1 loss) in the group stage, beating Turkey 3-0 and Czechia 2-1 before losing 2-0 to Georgia.

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Portugal vs. France odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:46 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Portugal +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | France +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Draw +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +140 | U: -170)

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Portugal vs. France picks and predictions

Prediction

France 2, Portugal 1

Moneyline (ML)

BET FRANCE (+145).

France sits 2nd in the FIFA World Rankings because of its firepower both up front and on the backline. It hasn’t performed overly convincingly through its 1st 4 games, but it has got the job done, beating Belgium in its first knockout stage round. It was able to get to the World Cup final in 2022 with a similar roster and should have the experience and talent to beat an aging Portuguese side.

For Portugal, despite having already advanced, a 2-0 loss to Georgia and then a full-time draw with Slovenia is concerning. Expect France to shine when the lights are the brightest. BET FRANCE (+145).

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET OVER 2.5 (+140).

Portugal created the chances against Slovenia yet didn’t convert. It has a plethora of talented creators like F Cristiano Ronaldo, F Bernardo Silva and F Bruno Fernandes. The French front line with F Kylian Mbappe is also among the most talented groups in the world. Portugal has gone Over this total in 2 of its 4 Euro games and in 5 of its last 7 matches.

France has gone Under in all 4 Euro matches but has gone Over in 7 of its last 13 matches. Both teams have the firepower to put shots on frame and create opportunities. Expect the offensive talent to finally come out, and at this value, BACK OVER 2.5 (+140).

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Euro 2024: France vs. Belgium odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s France vs. Belgium odds and lines, with Euro 2024 expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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France battles Belgium in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 from Dusseldorf Arena Monday. Kickoff is set for noon ET (FOX). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the France vs. Belgium odds, and make our best Euro 2024 bets, picks and predictions.

France came in second in Group D, winning 1 match and drawing its other 2. It ended with just 2 goals for and 1 against. For a team of its caliber attack, France certainly had an underwhelming group stage. France beat Austria, the group winner, 1-0 in its opener, drew Netherlands 0-0 and drew Poland 1-1. Having lost to Argentina in the World Cup final in 2022, France is among the powerhouses in European football. It was 2-1-1 in its four 2024 friendlies.

Belgium, which is led by Man City star M Kevin De Bruyne, lost to Slovakia 1-0, beat Romania 2-0 and drew Ukraine 0-0. For a team that sits 3rd in the world per the FIFA World Rankings, it was also a discouraging group stage. It did end each match with 55% or greater possession. Belgium was 2-2-0 (2 draws) in its 4 friendlies prior to the tournament.

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France vs. Belgium odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: France -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Belgium +360 (bet $100 to win $360) | Draw +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +116 | U: -142)

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France vs. Belgium picks and predictions

Prediction

France 2, Belgium 1

Moneyline (ML)

BET FRANCE (-110).

France has arguably the most talented side in the world behind a trio of skilled forwards led by F Kylian Mbappe. It plays its best against top competition, having taken down England in the World Cup quarterfinals 2-1 and then Morocco in the semifinals 2-0. It didn’t have a great group stage here, but it wasn’t truly tested often.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of Belgium. It struggled mightily against both Ukraine and Slovakia and arguably was outplayed against the former, ending with 1 shot fewer. The middle of the field outside of De Bruyne isn’t quite as strong and keeping pace with a high-octane French side will be easier said than done.

Expect France to shine when the lights are the brightest. BET FRANCE (-110).

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET OVER 2.5 (+116).

For both sides, the talent to put the ball in the back of the net is there. While France scored just 2 goals through the group stage, it was getting the opportunities and had double-digit shots in each match. France had gone Over this total in 3 of its last 7 games.

Despite France’s defensive success, Poland, Austria, and Netherlands don’t have the firepower or pace of De Bruyne, F Jérémy Doku and Co.

Belgium has gone Over in 2 of its last 6 matches but also has played teams with a fraction of the attacking talent of France.

Expect the offensive talent to finally come out, and at this value, BACK OVER 2.5 (+116).

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Kylian Mbappe’s mask is here, and it is very French

The France star will have a new look going forward at Euro 2024

Kylian Mbappé has introduced his first mask, but it doesn’t look like it will be one he’ll be able to use in a game.

The France star suffered a broken nose in his side’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria, colliding with defender Kevin Danso near the end of France’s 1-0 win.

It was immediately apparent that Mbappé had broken his nose, which appeared to be out of place as blood poured out onto the striker’s jersey.

It was also quickly apparent that the Real Madrid forward would be sporting a new look whenever he appeared on the pitch next.

Just hours after the injury, Mbappé was on social media asking his followers if they had any mask ideas.

In France’s training on Thursday, one day before a marquee matchup against the Netherlands, Mbappé debuted his first effort — and it was not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask he was once gifted. 

Mbappé showed up on the training pitch in a patriotic mask that featured the colors and pattern of the French flag. On one side was his initials “KM” while on the other, his number 10 featured in between two stars.

In the middle was the Gallic rooster — a national symbol of France that also appears on the French team’s crest.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the striker will actually be able to wear his mask during a game. According to UEFA rules, masks have to be just one color and free of team and sponsor logos.

As for when the superstar will actually debut a mask in a game, France coach Didier Deschamps sounded optimistic it could be against the Netherlands.

“Everything is going well, after the shock we had. He was able to take part in some light exercises yesterday, and that will be the same this evening. Everything is evolving in the right direction,” Deschamps said Thursday in his pre-match press conference.

“We’ll do all we can to ensure that he’ll be available tomorrow.”

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Kylian Mbappe’s facemask for his broken nose makes him look like a French superhero

Captain France is here!

What would Kylian Mbappe wear for a mask at Euro 2024 after he broke his nose?

That’s what so many soccer fans wanted to know after the French superstar asked on social media for suggestions. The choices ranged from Bane’s iconic look to LeBron James’ mask.

But Mbappe went with something that’s more country-appropriate: a blue, white and red mask that covers most of the upper part of his face, and it looks like it says “KM” on it.

He looks like Captain France if there was such a thing in the MCU, and some folks liked it a lot (although there were Ninja Turtle jokes):

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Kylian Mbappe got so many hilarious mask ideas after he broke his nose at Euro 2024

Some of these Kylian Mbappe mask ideas are a little on the nose.

The presumed favorite at Euro 2024 is France, a finalist during the last two men’s World Cups. But it might have just encountered a massive obstacle on its road to hopefully win these Euros next month.

According to Fabrizio Romano, superstar Kylian Mbappe broke his nose on a header during the late stages of Les Bleus’ 1-0 win over Austria on Monday.

The good news for France is that early tests don’t seem to have ruled out the best player in these Euros for the country’s remaining Group D games. The bad news is that France still has to determine how it will appropriately manage Mbappe’s injury while ensuring that he can be as dynamic as possible. Because, you know, he’s a human being who has to breathe through his nose while also striking the balance of not letting it get hit again.

Mbappe seems to otherwise be OK, but this is not an insignificant development. At all.

Oh, by the way: Mbappe received a weird yellow card for coming back onto the field without every referee’s approval after his nose injury. If he picks up another yellow card before the quarterfinals (should France reach that stage), he will be suspended for the ensuing game.

That is another potentially fraught situation to monitor over the next week or so.

One of the ways France will apparently try to manage Mbappe’s broken nose is by having him wear a protective mask moving forward. This assertion was implied by Mbappe taking to his Twitter account to jokingly ask for mask ideas, seemingly right after his post-game medical evaluation:

If Mbappe is in such a joyful mood, perhaps France will be totally fine! Nonetheless, his health after his nose injury is something the team will have to be extremely careful with to win its first Euros tournament since 2000.

Soccer fans had so many amusing mask ideas for Kylian Mbappe after he broke his nose

Mbappe Real Madrid jersey: Where to buy France star’s new kit

The France superstar’s kit is going to be one of the hottest items of the summer

It is finally official: Real Madrid has confirmed the signing of Kylian Mbappé.

The France superstar joins as a free agent after spending seven seasons at PSG, ending one of the longest-running transfer sagas in recent memory.

Mbappé will join a team already filled with stars, which just completed a season that ended in glory both in La Liga and the Champions League.

SHOP: Pre-order Kylian Mbappé Real Madrid jersey

Naturally, the 25-year-old’s kit is going to be one of the most in-demand items of the summer. After Madrid revealed its jersey for the 2024-25 season, Mbappé’s kit in the Blancos‘ iconic white is now available for pre-order.

The new jersey sells for $184.99 and can be found at Fanatics.

What number will Mbappe wear at Madrid?

The kit currently features #00 as a placeholder, but the forward will not actually wear that number when he steps onto the pitch at the Bernabéu.

Mbappé’s number is set to be confirmed in the coming weeks, so the kit will feature his actual number when it ships.

Mbappé wore the No. 7 for PSG, but that number is occupied by Vinícius Jr. at Madrid. He wears the No. 10 for France, but Luka Modrić wears that number in Madrid.

There is speculation he could wear the No. 9 in Madrid, which was unoccupied last season after Karim Benzema wore that number for several years.

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USMNT won’t face Mbappe at Olympics — but France is stacked anyway

The U.S. probably won’t be breathing a huge sign of relief after seeing this squad

The United States won’t be facing Kylian Mbappé at the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean it should be breathing a huge sigh of relief.

France released its preliminary 25-man roster for the Olympics on Monday, and the host country did not include the Real Madrid star on the list.

Even France President Emmanuel Macron had lobbied for Mbappé to be at the Paris Games, saying last month that he was “counting upon Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the Olympic Games.”

Macron’s wish was not granted, however, in a move that wasn’t a huge surprise, given Mbappé’s commitments with France at Euro 2024 and the fact Real Madrid wasn’t obligated to release the superstar for the Olympics.

“Real Madrid were really straightforward about the Olympics,” coach Thierry Henry said at a news conference Monday.

“The last time I received so many rejections was at the university. There have not even been negotiations. You go, you ask, they say no and you leave.”

The side that Henry did call, however, was still formidable.

Among the names are PSG duo Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola, Nice star Khéphren Thuram, Crystal Palace pair Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise, Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu and several other highly rated talents.

Veteran forward Alexandre Lacazette, still a formidable presence for Lyon, is on the squad as an overage player, with each men’s team at the Olympics allowed three players born before the cutoff of January 1, 2001.

Henry will have to eventually cut his side down to 18 before France begins the Olympics against the U.S. on July 24 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. 

Guinea and New Zealand were also drawn into Group A.

France preliminary Olympic squad

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Dijon)

Defenders: Bafodé Diakité (Lille), Maxime Estève (Burnley), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Leny Yoro (Lille)

Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Désiré Doué (Rennes), Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Khéphren Thuram (Nice), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandra Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)

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