Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba is a French professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for the France national team and Serie A side Juventus. He can be deployed to both offensive and defensive midfield roles depending on the situation. The Frenchman is a powerful box-to-box midfielder who can really draw immediate attention with his skillful play, creative playmaking, and goal-scoring capabilities.

Early Life

Paul Pogba was born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. He began playing football at a young age and joined the local team, US Roissy-en-Brie, when he was six years old. He quickly showed promise as a player, and his talent was noticed by scouts from various clubs. At the age of 13, he joined the youth academy of Le Havre, a club in Normandy, France.

However, Pogba's time at Le Havre was short-lived. In 2009, he was approached by Manchester United, and the club offered him a place in their academy. Pogba accepted the offer and moved to England to continue his footballing education.

Club Career

Pogba joined Manchester United’s youth team on 31 July 2009. Following his successful run with the youth team he was called to join the first team 2 years later, however, he continued with the youth side. was promoted to the senior team on a permanent basis in the 2011-12 season. He made his Premier League debut on 31 January 2012 against Stoke City, coming on in the 72nd minute of the game.

In 2012, Pogba left Manchester United and signed with Italian club Juventus on a free transfer. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, helping them win four consecutive Serie A titles and reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2015. Pogba's performances for Juventus earned him widespread acclaim and he was named to the UEFA Team of the Year in 2015.

In 2016, Pogba made a high-profile return to Manchester United, signing with the club for a then-world record transfer fee of €105 million. He attracted criticism for his inconsistency and perceived lack of effort. He has also been involved in several controversies, including a public feud with former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. He helped Manchester United win the Europa League and EFL Cup in 2017.

On 11 July 2022, Juventus announced Pogba's return on a four-year contract.

International Career

Pogba made his international debut for the France national team on 22 March 2013 against Georgia in the World Cup 2014 qualifier match which France won 3-1.

He was instrumental in France’s run to the quarter-finals in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Pogba was named the Best Young Player of the tournament and was included in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.

Pogba also played a crucial role in France's triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring a goal in the final against Croatia. He was named Man of the Match in the final and was included in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team. Pogba's performances throughout the tournament were widely praised, and he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. Pogba was ruled out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup following knee surgery.

To date, he has made 91 appearances for France, scoring 11 goals.

Records

• Pogba became the youngest player to wear the captain's armband for Manchester United in a Premier League match when he was just 21 years old.

• In the 2017-18 season, Pogba became the first Manchester United midfielder to record 10 or more assists in a single Premier League season since Eric Cantona in 1994-95.

• Pogba was the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award twice, first in 2014 and then in 2018.

• Pogba is one of the few players to have won the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Champions League with two different clubs (Juventus and Manchester United).

• In 2016, Pogba was included in the UEFA Team of the Year, becoming the first Juventus player to earn the accolade since Alessandro Del Piero in 2006.

Awards and Achievements

Personal Life

Pogba is a devout Muslim and observes Ramadan, a month-long religious fasting period, each year. He has also spoken about the importance of his faith in his life and career. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, particularly hip-hop and R&B, and has been seen rapping in several videos posted on social media. He is also a fan of fashion and has been known to experiment with his hair and style.

Pogba is fluent in several languages, including English, French, Italian, and Spanish, and has occasionally served as a translator for his teammates and coaches.

Off the field, Pogba is involved in several charitable initiatives. In 2016, he launched the Pogba Foundation, which aims to provide underprivileged children with access to education and sports programs. He has also supported various other causes, including UNICEF and the fight against racism in football.

Net Worth

As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $125 million.

Family

Paul Pogba comes from a family of footballers. His older brothers, Florentin and Mathias, are both professional footballers. Florentin played for French club Saint-Etienne, while Mathias has played for several lower division clubs in France and England.

Pogba's parents are from Guinea and immigrated to France before he was born. His father, Fassou Antoine Pogba, was also a professional footballer in Guinea before moving to France. His mother, Yeo Moriba, worked as a nurse.

Pogba also has a young son, named Labile Shakur Pogba, who was born in January 2019.

Partner

Pogba has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Maria Salaues. Salaues is a Bolivian model and was first spotted with Pogba at the 2018 World Cup, where she was seen cheering him on in the stands.

Houses

Pogba purchased a luxurious mansion in Cheshire, England, in 2016 for a reported £2.9 million. The property boasts seven bedrooms, a cinema room, a gym, and an indoor pool.

Pogba also owns a luxury apartment in the heart of Manchester, which he purchased in 2018 for £2.9 million. The apartment is located in the iconic Beetham Tower and has panoramic views of the city.

He owns a holiday home in his hometown of Roissy-en-Brie, a suburb of Paris. The property is reportedly a six-bedroom villa with a swimming pool and a large garden.