During France’s latest match, a detail on Kylian Mbappé’s face caught the attention of thousands of viewers.
The cameras showed several small bumps and marks in the striker’s neck and beard area, prompting all kinds of theories about their origin to start appearing on social media.
Some users thought they could be the result of blows received during the match, while others even speculated about some health issue.
However, the explanation would be much simpler.
According to specialists, the marks correspond to a condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, an inflammation that appears when newly shaved hairs grow back and re-enter the skin, causing small bumps and irritation.
It is a very common problem in men with coarse or curly facial hair, especially in people with dark skin, since the hair’s natural curvature makes it more likely to become ingrown after shaving.
Although it may be striking at first glance, it does not usually represent a serious problem and, in most cases, can be controlled by changing shaving technique or through dermatological treatments.
What for many was a cause for concern during the World Cup ended up being a fairly common condition that affects millions of people around the world.
Once again, a small detail captured by the cameras was enough to make Mbappé trend, showing that, during a World Cup, no gesture or image goes unnoticed.