Sports

More Than a Footballer: The Rise and Resilience of Paul Pogba

Published by Olatunji Yusuf on July 16th, 2025.

More Than a Footballer: The Rise and Resilience of Paul Pogba

There are footballers, and there are forces of nature. Paul Labile Pogba is the latter—an enigma draped in talent, wrapped in controversy, yet defined by a brilliance that only few have ever possessed.

Born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, to Guinean parents, Pogba’s journey began with a spark. From the dusty pitches of Roissy-en-Brie to the esteemed academies of Le Havre and then Manchester United, he was always the boy marked for greatness. He had flair, vision, power, and that rare arrogance that football loves and loathes in equal measure.

His first spell at Manchester United was a whimper rather than a bang. He left for Juventus in 2012, disillusioned, undervalued, and determined to prove himself. And he did. In Turin, Pogba transformed. Under the watchful eyes of Pirlo, Vidal, and Marchisio, he matured into a midfield colossus. Scoring screamers, threading impossible passes, and commanding the pitch with grace, Pogba became a global sensation. Trophies followed—Serie A titles, Coppa Italias, and personal accolades.

Then came the prodigal return. In 2016, he re-signed for Manchester United in a record-breaking deal. The world watched, waited, expected. But instead of glory, came turbulence. Managers came and went. Injuries mounted. Criticisms rained. The media scrutinized his hairstyles more than his heat maps. He smiled less. He struggled more. And in the shadows of Old Trafford’s bright lights, the cracks deepened.

But even in decline, Pogba’s moments of magic never truly ceased. A winning brace against Manchester City. A World Cup triumph with France in 2018, where he bossed the midfield and silenced doubters. He lifted the trophy in Moscow, a boy who had become a man, weeping tears of redemption.

Still, the fall continued. Inconsistent performances, deeper injuries, and eventually, a bitter departure from Manchester United. Many believed the curtain had fallen.

Then came Juventus again—a return not just to a club, but to a state of being. But fate had more trials. Recurring injuries, a doping suspension, and the cruel whispers of a career in decline. Yet Paul Pogba never begged sympathy.