Paul Pogba

Who is Paul Pogba?

Paul Labile Pogba, simply known as Paul Pogba, is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the English club Manchester United. France international was born on 15 March 1993 in Paris.

Paul joined the youth team of French club Le Havre in 2007 before a protracted transfer brought him to Man United two years later.

After beginning his senior career with the Red Devils two years later, limited games persuaded Pogba to depart to join Serie A giants Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, where the midfielder helped the Bianconeri to four consecutive Serie A trophies, as well as two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.

During his time in Serie A, the French midfielder further established himself as one of the most talented teenagers in the world and received the Golden Boy award in 2013, followed by the Bravo Award in 2014.

In 2016, Paul was named to the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year, as well as the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI, after helping the Old Lady to the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final, their first in 12 years.

The French midfielder’s displays at the Allianz Stadium led to him returning to Old Trafford in 2016 for a then-world record transfer fee of €105m. The fee paid for Pogba stays the highest-paid by an English team.

In his first campaign back, Paul won the League Cup and the Europa League. In the 2018–19 campaign, Pogba was named to the PFA Team of the Year.

What is Paul Pogba’s international career like?

On 22 March 2013, Paul made his debut for Les Bleus senior team in a 2014 World Cup qualifier game with Georgia.

Pogba scored his first international goal with Belarus on 10 September 2013 in a 4–2 win. In the summer of 2014, France international was named to Les Bleus’ squad for the 2014 Mundial.

In the round of 16, the French midfielder scored an opening goal and was named man of the match by FIFA as France defeated Nigeria 2–0. In summer 2014, Paul was named the competition’s Best Young Player.

In May 2016, the French midfielder was named by national side coach Didier Deschamps to Les Bleus’ 23-man team for UEFA Euro 2016. On 17 May 2018, Paul was named to Les Bleus team for Russia’s 2018 Mundial.

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, Paul extended Les Bleus’ lead over Croatia to 3–1. France eventually won the Mundial by a score of 4–2. In summer 2021, in Les Bleus’ final group game of UEFA Euro 2020 with Portugal, Paul assisted Benzema’s second goal in a 2–2 draw.

Pogba later scored with a bending 25-yard strike in the round-of-16 game with Switzerland, where Les Bleus were knocked out of the competition on penalties after a 3–3 draw.