10 fun facts about Paul Pogba

Paul Labile Pogba is a French professional footballer who plays plays for Serie A club Juventus and the France national team. Pogba initially joined the youth team of Ligue 2 side Le Havre in 2007, before eventually transferring to Manchester United two years later.

Following limited appearances with Manchester United, he made a move to Italian side Juventus on a free transfer in 2012. During his time with Juventus, Pogba contributed to the team’s success by winning four consecutive Serie A titles, along with two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.

His impressive performances in Italy earned him recognition as one of the most promising young players globally, receiving the Golden Boy award in 2013 and the Bravo Award in 2014. In 2016, Pogba was honored with a spot in the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year and the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI after helping Juventus reach the 2015 Champions League final, marking their first appearance in twelve years.

Pogba’s successful stint at Juventus paved the way for his return to Manchester United in 2016, with a then-record transfer fee of €105 million (£89.3 million). This fee remained the highest paid by an English club until 2021. Upon his return, he secured victories in the League Cup and the Europa League in his first season back.

He was also honored with a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2018-19 season. On the international stage, Pogba led France to triumph at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, earning the Best Player award for his outstanding performances. He made his senior team debut a year later and played a key role in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was recognized with the Best Young Player Award.

Pogba also represented France at UEFA Euro 2016, finishing as a runner-up, before achieving glory by winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup and scoring in the final match. We have listed some fun facts about him below.

1. A devout Muslim

Pogba’s life has been significantly shaped by his religious beliefs. Raised by parents who followed different faiths, he initially practiced Christianity and attended church. However, his path as a devoted Muslim commenced when he first engaged in prayer with his friends. Pogba himself has expressed that his faith has brought him a sense of tranquility and contentment.

2. His siblings are also footballers

Pogba comes from a football-loving family, with two older brothers, Florentin and Mathias, who were born in Guinea. Both brothers have made their mark in the football world, representing the Guinean national team. Florentin currently showcases his defensive skills at ATK Mohun Bagan, while Mathias exhibits his forward prowess at ASM Belfort.

3. Daring hairstyles

Pogba’s affinity for daring hairstyles originates from his deep love for fashion and the desire to express himself. Irrespective of the rationale behind his hairstyle choices, there is an undeniable recognition that Pogba’s haircuts form an unforgettable and unique aspect of his public persona.

Among Pogba’s other remarkable hairstyles are a leopard print design, depictions of Batman and his own face, a vibrant red dye job, a shaved head with a blonde streak, a simple buzz cut, and a sleeked-back appearance. Pogba frequently shares snapshots of his latest hairstyles on social media, where he boasts a substantial following.

4. Loved Arsenal

Pogba has dedicated a significant portion of his illustrious career to Manchester United and Juventus. However, during his childhood, it was Arsenal that held a special place in his heart.

In a December 2017 interview with Football Focus, Pogba disclosed his admiration for Arsenal, a team he avidly followed while growing up in France. The strong French connection, coupled with the influential presence of Thierry Henry, served as a profound inspiration for the talented midfielder at Manchester United.

5. Idolises Andrea Pirlo

Paul Pogba has frequently discussed his admiration for Andrea Pirlo, a renowned figure in Italian football and a former player for Juventus. During their time together at Juventus, Pirlo, an experienced midfielder, and Pogba, a promising talent, formed a connection.

Pogba has consistently expressed his admiration for Pirlo, highlighting his exceptional passing skills, vision, and calmness on the field. In fact, Pogba has attempted to incorporate some of Pirlo’s playing style into his own game, particularly his ability to execute long-range passes and dictate the pace of the match. Pogba acknowledges Pirlo’s influence in his growth as a player and the development of his midfield abilities.

6. Nicknamed ‘Paul the Octopus’

During his initial stint in Italy, Paul acquired the moniker ‘Il Polpo’, meaning ‘Paul the Octopus’. This epithet was bestowed upon him due to his slender physique and lengthy limbs, which enable him to effortlessly manipulate the ball and maintain possession. His strides and legs possess a formidable strength akin to the tentacles of an octopus.

7. Had an early career

Pogba kicked off his football journey at the tender age of six, representing US Roissy-en-Brie, just a stone’s throw away from his hometown. After seven seasons with the club, he made the switch to US Torcy, where he eventually led the under-13 team as captain.

8. First to have Twitter emoji

In 2017, Paul Pogba made history by being the first footballer to receive his own personalized emoji. Although it may not be as remarkable as his other accomplishments in sports, Twitter honored the former Manchester United midfielder by creating a unique emoji featuring Pogba’s shorn head.

This special emoji would appear whenever the designated #Pogba hashtag was used. Additionally, Pogba proudly showcased his official Twitter emoji on his boots during Manchester United’s match against Leicester.

9. Has an app called ‘Pogmoji’

In addition to his football career, Pogba engages in various creative endeavors. He thoroughly enjoys the glamorous lifestyle associated with being a celebrity and has even developed his own emoji application.

With his unique and easily recognizable face, Pogba possesses a vibrant and playful personality that perfectly complements his exceptional skills on the field. In 2017, following the launch of his personalized emoji, the renowned World Cup champion introduced his very own app called “Pogmoji.”

This app is exclusively dedicated to providing his fans with a wide range of Paul Pogba emojis, allowing them to have fun and express their support for him.

10. Adidas ambassador

Pogba is a brand ambassador for the sportswear and equipment giant Adidas. He was featured in a 2018 World Cup commercial for the company. Pogba’s signature goal celebration, known as “the Dab,” made its debut in the FIFA video game series starting from FIFA 17.