Everything you need to know about French superstar Paul Pogba!
Paul Pogba is a French professional football player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Juventus and the France national team. Born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, Pogba is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, known for a rare mix of technical ability, range of passing, physicality, ball-winning abilities, and creativity on the pitch.
Pogba began his career at the age of six playing for local club US Roissy-en-Brie. He later joined US Torcy, from where the rough diamond was scouted by Le Havre AC. In 2009, Pogba joined Manchester United's youth academy and quickly made a name for himself as a highly-prodigious talent. He made his first-team debut in 2011 but struggled to establish himself in the squad.
In 2012, Pogba left the northern England club after his contract expired, having only made seven appearances as a substitute. He joined Juventus, who only had to pay £800,000 to secure his services.
At Juventus, he became an integral part of the team, completing a wonderful midfield alongside legends Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. He enjoyed a trophy-laden four-year stint with the Italian giants, helping them win four consecutive Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia twice between 2012 and 2016, as well as reaching the UCL final in 2014/15. Pogba was also named the Serie A Footballer of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2015.
His performances were so good that Manchester United — the very same club that released him — forked out a then world-record fee of £89 million to prize him away from Turin in 2018. He was 23 and had been named young player of the tournament at the previous World Cup. He was a rising star, the type of player and leader who was expected to pull United out of their post-Alex Ferguson rut.
It all started so positively for Pogba back at Manchester United. In his first season, he played alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic and helped them win the League Cup and the Europa League, while also moving the Red Devils to a second-place league finish and a return to Champions League action.
However, it all turned sour towards the end of his second stint at United. He has also been criticised for his performances, while some fans and pundits have accused him of not living up to his potential and being inconsistent on and off the pitch.
After another underwhelming season in 2021/22, he left Old Trafford at the end of his contract in the summer of 2022 to rejoin Juventus on a free transfer. He has played just twice for the Italian giants since moving to Turin, with his first season back in Italy largely plagued by various injury problems.
For France, he was one of the driving forces of France's 2018 World Cup win, playing a crucial role in the midfield alongside N'Golo Kante. He was once again a key player for France at Euro 2020 and has made 91 appearances for France, scoring 11 goals but he missed the 2022 World Cup through injury.
Here are 15 fun facts about Pogba you need to know!
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Nicknamed 'Paul the Octopus' 🌐 🐙
When he played in Italy first time around, Paul got a nickname ‘Il Polpo’ which translates to 'Paul the Octopus'. This is because he has a lanky frame and long legs to control the ball and keep it in possession. His strides and legs are as powerful as an octopus' tentacles.
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Idolises Andrea Pirlo
Paul Pogba has spoken extensively about how much he looks up to and has learned from Andrea Pirlo, an Italy and Juventus legend. Pirlo and Pogba played together during his first stint at Juventus, where Pirlo was an experienced midfielder and Pogba was a rising star. Pogba has often mentioned Pirlo as one of his idols, praising him for his exceptional passing ability, vision, and composure on the ball.
The 30-year-old has even tried to adopt some of the principles of Pirlo's playing style, including his long-range passing and ability to control the tempo of the game. Pogba has also credited Pirlo for helping him become a better player and develop his skills as a midfielder.
In an interview, Pogba said, "I learned a lot from Pirlo. He was an example for me, not just as a player but as a person too. I watched him all the time in training and in matches, trying to learn from him."
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Raised by a single 'super mum'
Often referred to as 'super mum', Yeo Moriba is recognised for making a number of sacrifices for her children as she raised her three sons single-handedly after she divorced from her husband Fassou Antoine Pogba, in 1996. Yeo brought her three boys alone on France's little council house, and was the driving force behind her three sons' footballing careers.
Pogba has in the past admitted that his mother is his greatest source of inspiration. During an interview with Esquire in 2017, the Frenchman said his mother is his first girlfriend.
Yeo holds a passion for the sport as well, and now serves as an ambassador with the Guinea FA. She even founded a football club in Guinea and used to be the captain of the Guinea women's national team.
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Twin footballer brothers!
Paul has twin elder brothers – Mathias and Florentin. And you'll be surprised to learn that all three of them are professional football players, and love statement hairstyles. Florentin, who plays as centre-back, has endured a journeyman career around Europe – playing in seven countries including England, Wales and Scotland.
He's currently plying his trade for Indian Super League club ATK Mohun Bagan (renamed as Mohun Bagan Super Giants) while Matthias last played for French fourth-tier outfit ASM Belfort. Of course, Paul is the most famous out of the three.