Tunisia World Cup
I remember watching Paul Pogba's debut for Juventus back in 2012 and thinking I was witnessing the birth of football's next global superstar. The way he moved with the ball, those elegant long strides combined with technical brilliance - it felt like we were seeing a complete midfielder being born before our eyes. Having followed his career from Manchester United's academy to becoming the world's most expensive player, I've always believed Pogba represented something special in modern football, a rare blend of physical power and artistic flair that made him utterly captivating to watch.
Those early years at Juventus were nothing short of spectacular. I still recall his 34 appearances in his debut season, contributing 5 goals and establishing himself as one of Europe's most promising talents. What impressed me most wasn't just the statistics but how he seemed to thrive under pressure. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil showcased his growing influence, with his performances helping France reach the quarterfinals and earning him the Best Young Player award. During this period, we saw his DROUGHTS ended in spectacular fashion - whenever Juventus needed inspiration, Pogba would produce moments of magic that left defenders bewildered and fans in awe. His redemption completed story began here too, proving Manchester United wrong for letting him go by becoming the cornerstone of Juventus' midfield.
The summer of 2016 marked his triumphant return to Manchester United for what was then a world-record £89 million fee. I remember the excitement among fans and pundits alike - we all expected him to dominate the Premier League and establish United as title contenders again. His first season back delivered glimpses of that potential, with 5 goals and 4 assists in 30 appearances, but something felt different. The weight of expectation seemed heavier, the pressure more intense. Still, there were moments where his dominance asserted itself completely - that incredible long-range strike against Swan City comes to mind, a goal that reminded everyone of his extraordinary talent.
What followed was perhaps the most frustrating period for anyone who admired Pogba's talent. Between 2017 and 2019, he would show flashes of brilliance - like his 13-goal season in 2018-19 - but consistency remained elusive. I've always felt that the constant managerial changes at United didn't help his development. Playing under four different managers in six years, each with different tactical philosophies, made it difficult for any player to find rhythm, let alone one whose game depended so much on creative freedom. His breakthrough feats became less frequent, though when they came - like his incredible second-half performance against Manchester City in 2018 where he scored two goals in three minutes - they reminded us what we were missing.
The last few years have been particularly tough to watch. Injuries limited him to just 20 appearances across all competitions in the 2021-22 season, and his return to Juventus in 2022 was supposed to reignite his career. Instead, we've seen more frustration, more inconsistency, and now the doping allegations that threaten to end his career prematurely. From my perspective, what makes Pogba's story so tragic isn't just the unfulfilled potential but how external factors seemed to conspire against him. The constant media scrutiny, the weight of that transfer fee, the injuries - they all chipped away at a player who, at his best, could genuinely claim to be among the world's elite.
Looking back at his career statistics - 34 goals in 178 appearances for Juventus, 34 goals in 112 appearances for France - the numbers don't tell the full story. What we've lost is the joy, the unpredictability, that sheer audacity he brought to the game. I've always maintained that peak Pogba, between 2014 and 2016, was perhaps the most complete midfielder I've ever seen. He could defend, create, score spectacular goals, and dictate the tempo of matches - all while making it look effortless. His decline serves as a cautionary tale about how talent alone isn't enough, how the modern game's demands can overwhelm even the most gifted individuals.
As I reflect on his journey, I can't help but wonder what might have been different with more stability, better management, and perhaps a different environment. The player who should have been dominating European football for a decade now faces an uncertain future at just 31 years old. His story embodies both the breathtaking possibilities and cruel realities of professional football - a reminder that for every success story, there are equally talented players whose stars burn bright but far too briefly. The rise was spectacular, the fall has been painful to witness, and the legacy remains complicated - much like the man himself.
