Paul Pogba admits to having grown up as an Arsenal supporter who idolised Thierry Henry, with allegiances changing to Manchester United once he linked up with the Red Devils’ youth team.
Pogba told United’s official podcast: “I will be honest. So, at the start, I was an Arsenal fan – obviously because of all the French players, you know.
“Me and my brother were but my other brother was a Manchester United fan.
“I couldn’t say anything so I used to love Henry and, because of him, I was an Arsenal fan. Then I changed and went on to choose with my other brother. No Arsenal, I went with the other one, the United fan!”
Henry, who had left Arsenal for Barcelona by the time Pogba arrived in England, was not the only iconic Frenchman or all-time great that an energetic midfielder looked up to.
He added: “I had Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, [Zinedine] Zidane, Thierry Henry, Djibril Cisse, Kaka.”
Pogba has followed in the footsteps of a few legendary figures, becoming a World Cup winner himself, and also had the chance to fulfil a childhood dream of gracing the books at Arsenal.
Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was in the market for Pogba when he left United for Juventus.
The Frenchman told beIN Sports: “As a footballer, he has everything. It is difficult to figure out what he doesn't have.
“Things happened very quickly. We were interested in him. We tried to get him to come. But he very quickly signed for Juventus.
“He has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.”
KingJerryTheGreat
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Henry has been a very big influence to so many football stars, just like Ronaldo and Messi.....