Football fans will be having flashbacks to Antonio Rudiger’s bizarre running technique at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – after Oldham forward Mike Fondop adopted a similar technique during his side’s win over Barnet. 

Real Madrid defender Rudiger went viral for his unorthodox style as he leapt forwards with high knees while shielding the ball away from Takuma Asano during Germany’s 2-1 loss to Japan. 

The former Chelsea defender received plenty of stick for adopting the unusual running style as pundits claim he was ‘trying to mug the opposition off’ while ex- Germany star Didi Hamann blasted him as ‘out of order’ and ‘arrogant’. 

Fondop scored in the comfortable win for the Latics at The Hive  – making it 2-0 in the second half with half an hour to play, but around ten minutes later his antics brought a smile to the face of Oldham fans.

Mike Fondop did his best Antonio Rudiger impression with a bizarre running technique during Oldham’s win over Barnet

Rudiger went viral at the 2022 World Cup for altering his running style to exaggerate his movements while competing with Takuma Asano

Barnet had just pulled one back to make it 2-1 through Harry Pritchard’s penalty when Oldham pinged a long ball over the top to send Fondop on his way down the left hand side. 

As he raced onto the loose ball and with a Barnet defender speeding back to attempt an interception, Fondup began charging forwards with high knees, lifting his legs up higher and higher in an attempt to put his marker off. 

After the game, Fondop was asked by a friend on Instagram to explain his running stance.

Fondop replied: ‘The track runner technique bro. Scares the defender and go faster.’ 

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Fondop said his ‘track runner’ technique ‘scares the defender and helps him go faster’ – as he mimicked Rudiger’s style

Fans were loving Fondop’s moment of flamboyance as they revelled in the moment on social media. 

Writing on X, one supporter wrote: ‘Oldham’s number 9 ladies and gentlemen, Mr Mike Fondop,’ alongside some laughing emojis.

Another said he was ‘galloping like a mighty stead’ while one jokingly asked: ‘When’s the statue going up?’ 

‘Quality running there from big Mikey,’ read another post. 

Fondop has been with Oldham since January 2022 and has scored 16 goal in 52 appearances with the club. 

He scored 13 times in 40 outings last season and his strike against Barnet was his first of this campaign.