Saint-Etienne defender Florentin Pogba cannot wait to face his brother Paul next week in the Europa League, and reveals that Arsenal are the team he cheers on
The Guinea international is three years older than his brother, and next week's tie at Old Trafford will be the first time they have shared a pitch
FLORENTIN POGBA cannot wait to share the same pitch with his brother Paul as his side Saint-Etienne prepare to face Manchester United in the Europa League.
It will be the first time the world-record signing would have faced any of his brothers, as Florentin's twin Mathias is also a footballer at Sparta Rotterdam.
Ahead of the last 32 first leg next Thursday at Old Trafford, Florentin, 26, told the Guardian: "I watched the draw and, when I saw who we got, my first reaction was ‘Yes, that’s a dream that’s going to be fulfilled'.
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"We used to play every day and hope that one day all three of us would play together in a professional match.
"That was the biggest dream. We haven’t managed it yet but having two of us together on the pitch is already good.
"We’ve been having fun about it ever since the draw, sending messages like ‘Watch out, the match is getting closer’ and so on."
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A friend of the brothers told SunSport: "Although Florentin will admit Paul is the better footballer, they are equally matched in the air.
“Florentin is a formidable presence at the heart of the St Etienne and has a salmon-like leap that can certainly compete with his brother.
“They’ve already been joking with each other about the game. Florentin has told Paul that he better watch out because he’s doing to out-jump him for every cross or set-piece.
“But Paul has told Florentin that he is going to have him for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Although it’s well spirited, they seriously will be aiming to out-do each other.
“It’s very much that they will be the best of enemies for two nights.”
Unlike Paul, 23, who has a long affiliation with the Red Devils, Florentin is an admirer of another Premier League club - Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side.
He said: "Arsenal are the club of my heart. I’ve supported them ever since the Invincibles – what a team!
"The downside of being a professional is you rarely get a chance to go to watch other teams so I’ve never actually been to the Emirates. But one day I will, hopefully."
Saint-Etienne go into the game in relatively good form, they sit fifth in Ligue 1 having won two of their last three games - beating Lyon 2-0 and hitting Lorient for four earlier today.