Paul Pogba (Part2)

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16 Mar 2024

Paul Pogba (Part2)

Paul Pogba continued to showcase his talent under Juventus' new manager, Massimiliano Allegri. He provided an assist for Carlos Tevez's goal, securing Juventus an away victory against Milan. Just a few weeks later, on October 18, Pogba rescued Juventus from a potential defeat against Sassuolo by scoring a crucial equalizer, earning himself the Man of the Match award.

Pogba's contributions were duly recognized by Juventus, and on October 24, he renewed his contract with the club, extending his commitment until 2019. His significance to the team was further highlighted on November 4 when he scored his first-ever Champions League goal on his 100th appearance for Juventus, helping them secure a victory against Olympiacos.
Continuing his impressive form, on November 22, Pogba netted a brace in Juventus' 3–0 triumph over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. His remarkable performances led to him being named as one of the 23 shortlisted candidates for the 2014 Ballon d'Or, making him the youngest player on the list at just 21 years old. Additionally, he was honored with the Bravo Award by the Italian sports magazine Il Guerin Sportivo for being the best under-23 player in European competitions.

Moving into the next year, on January 11, 2015, Pogba played a crucial role in Juventus' victory against Napoli, scoring a memorable volley that helped secure their first win at the Stadio San Paolo in 14 years. He continued his scoring exploits on January 15 in the Coppa Italia, finding the back of the net as Juventus defeated Verona 6–1 in the round of 16.
Pogba's impact on the pitch was evident throughout the season, as he scored vital goals, including the winner against Sassuolo on March 9, which extended Juventus' lead at the top of the Serie A table. However, his season was briefly interrupted by a hamstring injury suffered during the Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund, which ruled him out for two months.

Returning to action on May 9, Pogba marked his comeback with a goal in Juventus' 1–1 draw against Cagliari, helping them secure their fourth consecutive Serie A title. His influence was pivotal in Juventus' Champions League campaign as well, as he set up Álvaro Morata's crucial goal against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, propelling Juventus to the final for the first time in 12 years. Although Juventus fell short in the final against Barcelona on June 6, 2015, Pogba's presence on the pitch showcased his immense talent and contribution to the team's success.

On July 15, 2015, Paul Pogba's outstanding performances earned him a place on the ten-man shortlist for the 2015 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, showcasing his status as one of the continent's elite players. Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Pogba was bestowed with the prestigious number-10 shirt at Juventus, a symbol of his importance to the team following the departure of Carlos Tevez. This iconic shirt had previously been worn by Juventus legends such as Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Baggio, and Michel Platini.

Pogba continued to demonstrate his influence on the pitch, contributing to Juventus' success in the 2015 Supercoppa Italiana with an assist in their 2–0 victory over Lazio on August 8. Despite placing tenth in the 2015 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, Pogba's consistent performances earned him recognition and acclaim.On October 31, 2015, Pogba reached a significant milestone, making his 100th Serie A appearance in a memorable Turin Derby against Torino. He marked this occasion by scoring Juventus' opening goal with a spectacular half-volley from outside the area, highlighting his ability to make decisive contributions in important matches.

On August 8, 2016, Paul Pogba made a highly anticipated return to his former club, Manchester United, signing a lucrative five-year contract. The transfer fee of €105 million plus bonuses of €5 million set a new record as the highest football transfer fee at the time, surpassing Gareth Bale's previous record. Notably, Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, received a significant sum from Juventus when facilitating the transfer.

However, Pogba's return to Manchester United was met with a setback, as he was suspended for the opening Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth due to accumulated yellow cards from the previous season's Coppa Italia matches with Juventus. Nonetheless, he made his debut in a 2–0 home victory over Southampton in the Premier League on August 19.
Despite criticism for his positioning in the first Manchester derby of the season, Pogba soon found his form and made significant contributions to the team. He scored his first Premier League goal for United with a header against Leicester City in a 4–1 home win on September 24. Additionally, Pogba showcased his scoring prowess in a Europa League tie against Fenerbahçe, scoring twice, including a strike from distance.

Manager José Mourinho staunchly defended Pogba against critics, emphasizing the need to refrain from premature judgments. Pogba continued to demonstrate his importance to the team, scoring a crucial goal in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Hull City, helping Manchester United advance to the final.On May 24, 2017, Pogba played a pivotal role in Manchester United's Europa League final triumph against AFC Ajax, scoring the game-winning goal as United secured their first continental trophy in nine years. Despite finishing the Premier League season in sixth place, Pogba's contributions were significant, featuring in 30 games, scoring five goals, and providing four assists for the team.

Paul Pogba played a significant role in France's triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In the opening match against Australia, Pogba's shot deflected off Aziz Behich, resulting in the winning goal for France in a 2–1 victory. Although initially credited to Pogba, FIFA later re-awarded the goal as an own goal to Behich.Pogba's impact was even more pronounced in the final match against Croatia. In the 59th minute, he scored a crucial goal from the edge of the penalty area, extending France's lead to 3–1 after his initial shot had been blocked. This goal played a significant role in securing France's eventual 4–2 victory over Croatia and clinching the World Cup title.Overall, Pogba's contributions throughout the tournament, including his decisive goals in key matches, played a pivotal role in France's success and solidified his status as one of the key players in their victorious campaign.