Featured Image Credit: UEFA/Getty
Topics: Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, France, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Kylian Mbappe explained why he doesn't make runs in behind anymore ahead of France's huge 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.
Mbappe will look to add to his goal account, having just scored once so far in Germany.
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And he made an omission about his style of play with the national team ahead of France resuming their campaign.
In a pre-match press conference, Mbappe referenced 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 in behind anymore.
"Why do I not make runs in behind anymore? It depends on the team," he explained. "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."
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Pogba was ineligible for selection for Euro 2024 following his positive doping test.
He was given a four-year ban, which runs till August 2027 as 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.
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But he insists he's 'not finished' and vows to keep fighting the 'injustice' that landed him a ban.
"If you don’t see a video where I say that I am stopping with football it’s because I am still a football player. I am still here, still positive, I have an opportunity to fight what in my view is an injustice. We’ll see, things will go better. I don’t know if you saw the whole interview, but they only put up a part of it were I hadn’t even finished speaking yet," he said.
"Pogba is not finished, Pogba is here and until you see me say I'm finished, don't worry. I still feel like a player, I am training and in these moments I must only be positive. I am spending a lot of time with my family, seeing my kids grow up. I am not doing what I love, which is football, but I am really eager to get back. I am so eager, I feel like a kid who wants to be a professional."