Paul Pogba has YouTube wonder-goal clip of ‘big brother’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic on phone
France’s World Cup winner was so impressed by one of Ibra’s strikes he downloaded the 14-year-old clip to his mobile
Sponsored by
PAUL POGBA has one of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s wonder goals saved on his mobile phone.
The pair, who played together for two seasons at Manchester United, share the same agent in Italian Mino Raiola.
They became firm friends long before the Pogba re-signed for United for a then world record fee of £89m in 2016 – the same year Ibrahimovic came to the Premier League.
Frenchman Pogba still raves about Ibrahimovic’s incredible strike for Ajax against NAC Breda in 2004 when he dribbled past several players before scoring.
Pogba, 25, said: “The first time I met Zlatan was in Los Angeles. That was before I signed for Manchester United.
“We were both over there on holiday and since we have our agent, Mino Raiola, in common, we met up.
“We went out for a meal, I met his wife and kids and he was so…friendly.
“He was a completely different character to the one you see on the football pitch.
“It felt like he liked me straight away, and ever since he’s tried to give me good advice about football and business as well as my private life. I regard him as a really good friend, a big brother.
“The first time I saw him was when he dribbled past all those players in that match between Ajax and Breda. I even had that saved on my phone.
LATEST MAN UTD NEWS
“I even used to nag Mino about it: “You’ll have to get me and Zlatan playing in the same team.” Then we both ended up at Manchester United.”
Writing in a new book out today, Pogba reckons Ibrahimovic is more influential as a football striker than Lionel Messi is for Barcelona and Argentina.
The World Cup winner added: “Seeing great players on television is one thing, but it’s only when you’re actually on the same pitch that you really understand how good they are.
“Zlatan is big, strong, agile, technically good, he can pass, he can head, he’s the complete footballer.
“Lionel Messi, for example, is outstanding in his way, but Zlatan has something that no one else has – he has it all. He’s like a beast, he never tires.
“First out onto the pitch and the last back down the tunnel. And he works hard in the gym between games. People have no idea what it takes to be a top player.
“On the field, Zlatan is an unparalleled professional – he radiates an incredibly strong energy.
“He wants to win and he hates to lose. He can’t let go of a defeat, everything’s about competing, winning. In training session after training session… everything’s a competition.
“I thought he should’ve stayed at United, mostly because I don’t know who’s going to make me laugh now, but Los Angeles will be good for him. LA Galaxy might not be the best team in the world, but it’s a good thing for those players to see, train and play with Zlatan.”
I AM FOOTBALL – Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Viking, £25, out now