Euro 2024: Why I don't make runs from behind again, by Mbappe, French striker

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French winger, Kylian Mbappe, said he does not make runs from behind anymore because of the absence of Paul Pogba, the country’s banned midfielder in the team.

Mbappe’s lack of runs were noticrable in the ogoing 2024 European football tournament, especially during France’s quarter-final clash against Portugal.

France, who beat Belgium in the last-16, face Portugal for a spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 in a difficult game that stretched into extra time and to penalty shootout.

Mbappe failed to add to his goal account, having just scored once so far in Germany.

And he made an omission about his style of play with the national team ahead of France semi final tie in the tournament.

In a pre-match press conference, Mbappe praised Paul Pogba, who received a request for France’s last game at Euro 2024, as the reason as to why he doesn’t make darting runs from behind anymore.

According to him, “Why do I not make runs in behind anymore? It depends on the team.

“When we had Pogba for example, I could just blindly make a run and he would find me. Now I have to adapt to a different situation.”

Pogba failed to make to Euro 2024 following his positive doping test, for which he was given a four-year ban, running till August 2027. The suspension starts from when he first tested positive.

The former Manchester United midfielder will be 34-years-old when the ban ends, raising questions over whether his career will continue after that.

Pogba insisted he’s ‘not finished’ and vowed to keep fighting the ‘injustice’ that landed him a ban.