Paul Pogba, once hailed as the pinnacle midfielder worldwide, boasted a commanding status when he secured his move to Manchester United in 2016 for a staggering 100 million euros, setting the record for the most expensive player. However, today, he's a mere echo of his former prowess, his market value plummeting to a mere 20 million Euros. What's the mystery behind Pogba's dramatic rise and subsequent fall from grace in the football realm?
Delving into Paul Pogba's journey reveals a tale of highs and lows. Born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, Pogba emerged from a modest background, closely bonded with his two elder brothers, Florentin and Mathias Pogba, maintaining a strong fraternal relationship. Despite growing up in a financially deprived area, Pogba defied the allure of gang involvement, channeling his passion into football, showcasing his innate talent from an early age.
Joining the US Roissy team at a tender age of six, Pogba later captained the under-13 squad upon moving to Torcy at 13. His breakthrough arrived when he secured a spot at Le Havre, a professional French club, where his talent burgeoned. During his tenure, Pogba's prowess drew attention from powerhouse clubs like Arsenal, Juventus, and Manchester United, earning him the reputation of a rising star.
In 2009, Pogba stirred controversy by announcing his move to Manchester United's Youth Academy from Le Havre, triggering backlash as the French club expressed dismay over the lack of prior notice. Outraged, Le Havre publicly criticized Pogba's family and Manchester United, prompting a plea to FIFA to investigate the matter.
Despite the heated debate, a FIFA-appointed judge ultimately exonerated Manchester United from any wrongdoing. With no choice but to yield, Le Havre sanctioned Pogba's transfer to Manchester United. However, this controversy marked just the beginning of Pogba's rollercoaster journey. He commenced his tenure with Manchester United's U-18 team, concluding his inaugural season with the English club, notching seven goals in 21 appearances and contributing to their trophy cabinet.
A year into his Manchester United journey, he earned a call-up to the club's reserve team, showcasing an outstanding midfield performance. This led to a remarkable achievement in February 2011 when Pogba, among four academy players, was promoted to the first team under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Juggling between first-team and reserve-team training sessions became Pogba's routine. Ferguson, foreseeing Pogba's ascendancy, predicted an increased role for him in the 2011-2012 season.
Pogba's inaugural professional appearance for Manchester United materialized during a League Cup clash against Leeds United, entering the field as a halftime substitute. Despite amassing only seven appearances in that season due to contractual constraints, Pogba found limited playtime, prompting contemplation about his future at the club. Although a contract extension was offered, Pogba discerned that his aspirations of attaining football stardom might not materialize at United under Ferguson's management, compelling his departure to Juventus in July 2012.
Sir Alex Ferguson expressed profound disappointment at Pogba's departure, emphasizing the perceived lack of respect displayed by the player towards the team. However, Ferguson seemed content to bid farewell to a player of that nature. Yet, from my perspective, Pogba's choice to depart from Manchester United was astute. The team's midfield dynamics underwent a decline post the retirement of Paul Scholes and the aging core players, resulting in inadequate playtime for Pogba.
In my assessment, Pogba's move was a strategic one. His arrival at Juventus saw an immediate integration into the first team. Notably, his debut against Chievo showcased an impressive 90-minute display. Moreover, Pogba consistently featured in Juventus's Champions League campaigns, assuming a more pivotal role compared to his stint at United.
Subsequently, during the encounter against Napoli, he netted his inaugural professional goal, setting the stage for continuous acclaim from select Italian media, heralding him as a future luminary in football. Across the 2012-2013 season, Pogba sustained his remarkable form, tallying five goals in 37 appearances, a commendable feat for his maiden full season at the professional level.
His stellar displays with Juventus and the France U-20 national team earned him the captain's armband for the 2013 U-20 World Cup. Pogba's outstanding contributions were pivotal in securing France's inaugural Under-20 World Cup triumph, culminating in his recognition as the tournament's best player.
By the 2013-2014 season, Pogba had unequivocally begun his ascent to footballing eminence, captivating audiences with his performances. Despite his tender age, he orchestrated an impressive season, notching nine goals and crafting 16 assists across 51 appearances, showcasing unwavering availability for Juventus in each encounter. Moreover, his accolades included The Golden Boy award in 2013, crowning him the premier young player in Europe at the time.
Shortly after, The Guardian acknowledged him as one of Europe's top 10 most promising young talents. Pogba's stature continued to ascend as he dominated numerous Serie A fixtures, evolving into a linchpin for Juventus. His prodigious talent contributed significantly as Juventus secured consecutive Serie A titles under Antonio Conte and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. Despite his youth, Pogba's prowess warranted selection in France's squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Making an impact in France's inaugural World Cup game against Honduras, Pogba notched an assist in a resounding 5-2 victory over Switzerland. The round of 16 clash against Nigeria witnessed Pogba scoring the opener in a 2-0 win, earning him the accolade of the match's standout performer. Additionally, he clinched the Best Young Player award for his sterling performances throughout the tournament. Undoubtedly, Pogba's trajectory foreshadowed his imminent ascent to superstardom in the realm of football.
The dawn of the 2014-2015 season brought Juventus a new helmsman, Massimiliano Allegri. Despite the managerial shift, Pogba's brilliance endured. Across 41 appearances, he etched his name in history, tallying 10 goals and 11 assists, marking the first instance he achieved double-digit figures in both metrics. Remarkably, at just 21 years old, he secured a place among the 23 nominees for the 2014 Ballon d'Or, emerging as the youngest contender. Further recognition came in the form of the Bravo award, celebrating him as the premier player under 23 in European competitions.
Pogba's milestone 100th appearance for Juventus made headlines, yet his journey faced a setback during a Champions League bout against Borussia Dortmund, where a significant hamstring injury sidelined him for two months. Despite this, his pivotal assist in the semifinal second leg against Real Madrid steered Juventus to the Champions League final, ultimately culminating in a 3-1 loss but solidifying Pogba's historic season. As the 2015-2016 season loomed, UEFA honored Pogba among Europe's top 10 players of 2015.
Elevating his status within Juventus, Pogba was entrusted with the revered number 10 jersey, donned previously by icons like Del Piero, Roberto Baggio, and Platini, signifying the club's aspiration to anoint him as a pivotal figure and future legend. Tasked with heightened responsibilities in midfield post the departure of Andrea Pirlo, Pogba rose to the occasion, notching 10 goals and 13 assists throughout the season, leading Juventus to a domestic double for the second consecutive year.
This feat crowned Pogba the assist leader and earned him a spot in the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World Starting XI, marking a significant accolade in his burgeoning career. Regarded as a revered figure within Juventus, Pogba ascended as the face of the club. However, amidst his triumphs, a pivotal event unfolded during the summer that altered the trajectory of his journey. Before delving into this turning point, it's essential to note Pogba's involvement in Euro 2016, where he earned selection in the France national team squad.
During Euro 2016, Pogba faced initial struggles, drawing social media criticism branding him overrated in the group stages. However, his pivotal moment arrived in the quarter-final clash against Iceland. With a goal against the opponent, Pogba silenced detractors and showcased midfield dominance, aiding France's resounding 5-2 victory. Elevating his performance in the semi-final versus Germany, a more preferred midfield role bore fruit as he netted his second goal, propelling France to a 2-0 win. Despite their Euro campaign's vigor, France succumbed to Portugal in the final, losing 1-0 in extra time.
Post-Euros, speculations swirled about Pogba's future, despite his stature as a vital asset for Juventus in the foreseeable years. With years left on his contract, Juventus held no obligation to sell. However, Manchester United, seeking to rectify their previous error of letting Pogba go for free, tabled a staggering 105 million euro bid, a transfer record unparalleled at the time. This monumental offer left Juventus with an offer too substantial to decline, heralding Pogba's return to the English club from which he departed without a fee.
Picture Manchester United's predicament: they relinquished their superstar and now have to shell out over 100 million euros to bring him back — a rather amusing twist. Yet, Paul Pogba's return to Manchester United for his first season wasn't a soaring success. On the field, his performance waned, registering a modest tally of nine goals and six assists across 51 games. Criticism swirled around his seeming lack of clarity in role comprehension and tactical discipline, drawing severe rebuke from English pundits.
Jose Mourinho, helming Manchester United at the time, stood by Pogba, chastising critics as "Einstein" for hastily judging the player. Despite falling short of the lofty expectations befitting a 100-million-plus transfer, Pogba's contribution wasn't entirely negative. His defining moment emerged in the Europa League final, where his 18th-minute strike against Ajax propelled United to a 2-0 victory, clinching their first continental trophy in nine years.
While Pogba's recent seasons lacked consistent brilliance, he remained a pivotal figure in crucial encounters. In the 2017-2018 season, however, challenges mounted for Pogba. Though statistically he contributed slightly better with six goals and 12 assists across all competitions, his campaign encountered hurdles.
Despite a promising start with two goals and two assists in initial games, a thigh muscle injury disrupted his momentum. Upon recovery, Mourinho lambasted Pogba for apparent lapses in discipline and tactical understanding, favoring Scott McTominay over the ostensibly "erratic" Pogba. Yet, amidst these struggles, Pogba etched an iconic moment, scoring a brace against Man City, securing a sensational 3-2 victory for United in an away clash against their formidable rivals. However, this moment might stand as Pogba's highlight of the season.
Amidst sporadic injury setbacks, Paul Pogba secured a spot in France's 2018 World Cup squad, displaying his impact by netting the decisive goal against Australia. His pivotal contributions extended to the final, where an astounding strike from outside the box swelled France's lead to 3-1, culminating in their 4-2 triumph. While inconsistent at club level, Pogba showcased his world-class prowess with France. In the subsequent 2018-2019 season, he delivered a remarkable performance, amassing 16 goals and 11 assists in 47 games, coupled with commendable fitness throughout most fixtures.
However, the dawn of the following season saw Pogba falter under Mourinho's criticism, leading to his benching in key games, including a pivotal defeat against Liverpool. Mourinho's departure and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival signaled a resurgence for Pogba, marked by impactful goals against various teams. Yet, inconsistency marred his performances, drawing scrutiny despite concluding the season as his most productive.
Post this stellar season, Pogba's trajectory plummeted. Amid links to Real Madrid, he voiced allegiance to Manchester United, enduring fans' ire due to his patchy displays. A series of ankle injuries disrupted his rhythm—a setback that commenced during a match against Southampton, sidelining him for a month. Although his return against Arsenal showed promise, another ankle setback ensued, ruling him out until December. Attempts to rejoin the squad against Watford and Newcastle were short-lived as another ankle injury forced surgery, sidelining him for several months. Ultimately, his season culminated in just one goal and four assists across 22 games, predominantly due to injury, signaling troubling signs of Pogba's struggle to maintain consistency.
In the 2021 season, Pogba grappled with persistent injury woes, particularly plaguing his ankle and hamstring.
Despite these setbacks, he delivered a relatively commendable performance, netting six goals in 96 games. The addition of Bruno Fernandes to the team exerted a positive influence, uplifting the squad compared to the previous season. While Pogba's prowess should have positioned him as Manchester United's premier figure, the rise of Bruno seemed to eclipse this narrative. Nevertheless, the team's overall performance shone as they secured a Champions League spot for the upcoming season and reached the Europa League final, albeit losing in a penalty shootout against Villarreal after a marathon of 22 penalties.
Pogba's form remained intact, earning him a place in France's Euro 2020 squad. His standout moment involved assisting Karim Benzema's brace against Portugal, securing France's group winners status. However, their journey was marred by a loss to Switzerland, culminating in a disappointing tournament exit.
However, the 21-22 season marked a downturn for Pogba. Across 27 games, he tallied only one goal and nine assists. A red card within 15 minutes of his appearance against Liverpool precipitated a dismal 5-0 loss for Manchester United. Subsequently, a severe hamstring injury prolonged his absence for several months. This, coupled with diminished prominence in the squad, foreshadowed Pogba's imminent departure upon contract expiration—a prophecy fulfilled in July 2022, as he announced his return to Juventus on a four-year deal.
Upon rejoining Juventus and donning the revered number 10 jersey, Pogba's prospects as a key player in the squad seemed promising. However, misfortune struck in a pre-season friendly in the United States, sidelining him for two months due to a meniscus injury. Controversy surfaced when Pogba's brother, Mathias, released videos levelling allegations against Paul, including involvement with unsavory characters and a purported witch doctor's curse on Kylian Mbappe during a Champions League match.
The tumult within the Pogba family didn't just impact Paul; he disclosed being targeted by bullies during a friendly match in France with the national team. Recounting the incident, he revealed how old acquaintances lured him to an apartment, attempting to pilfer his money. Shockingly, one of these friends even tried to swipe two hundred thousand Euros using Pogba's credit card.
The upheaval engulfing Paul Pogba seemed absurdly relentless, further exacerbated by his anticipated fitness for the 2022 World Cup. However, a major setback thwarted his participation, despite France reaching the World Cup final for the second consecutive time. Finally, in late February, Pogba made his second debut for Juventus, subbing in during a match against Torino.
However, his return journey faced immediate hurdles. A red card in a Europa League encounter against Freiburg, stemming from his tardiness for the team's dinner, marked an inauspicious start. Shortly afterward, a muscle injury sidelined him for about a month. Upon his comeback against Sevilla, Pogba facilitated Juventus's late equalizer in the Europa League clash.
Yet, misfortune struck again during the game against Cremonese, resulting in another muscle injury sidelining him for the remainder of the 22-23 season. Consequently, his stats for this season merely reflect one assist in 10 games, a bitter disappointment for the player. Pogba's world-class allure has significantly waned, owing in part to unfortunate injuries hindering consistent performances.
Moreover, his market value has plummeted by 80 million euros, a stark contrast considering his prominence during his Juventus tenure. Despite being one of my favorite players during his Juventus days, witnessing Pogba's decline due to inconsistent performances and persistent injuries is disheartening. While there might still be a window for resurgence next season, given his age approaching 30, the legacy of Paul Pogba seems undeniably compromised.
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