Some good ball catches, some acceleration and excellent crosses: if he only played about ten minutes on the Rennes pitch, after the defeat of Monaco (4-1), the main thing was elsewhere for Paul Pogba. After more than two years without football and a suspension for doping, the 2018 world champion midfielder played again in an official match, reminding us of how great he is. And he still thinks he can do it in the coming months.
We felt you were annoyed at the end of the game…
PAUL POGBA. Not upset, because I was disappointed to lose. Yes it’s beautiful, it’s Paul Pogba’s return but I’m playing in Monaco and I don’t like losing. I’m very happy on the one hand, deep down, and on the other hand I’m disappointed with the result and what we did on the pitch.
What were you thinking when you entered the game?
I’ve been thinking about this image for months, I said to myself ah you will return to the field, you will play again. I’m looking forward to this. Of course the result was not what we expected but the coach gave me the opportunity to come back. I try to give everything.
Who did you think of at that time?
For me (laugh). It’s really about having fun because despite everything that happens, all the stories outside of football, I’m the one who suffers the most.
You receive a wonderful welcome from Roazhon Park in Rennes. Did you expect it?
It really touched my heart to see the audience stand up and applaud. I didn’t imagine it. A big thank you to all my fans who came out today and who supported me.
What was your first feeling?
They are good. I want to try to bring good energy, have fun because it’s been a long time coming. I am relieved to have returned to football, the thing I love most in the world. There is still work to do to get back fit and try to play 90 minutes of matches.
“If I don’t appear in Monaco, the French team will have to be forgotten”
Are you thinking about a World Cup with the Blues at the end of the season?
It’s far, it’s far. I’m definitely thinking about getting back fit to help the team. If I don’t appear in Monaco, the French team will definitely be forgotten so it’s very, very far away and, to be honest, I only think about Monaco.
Are you very confident about your return to the best level?
Of course, otherwise I would have stopped my career. I am a competitor and for me football is not over. We worked, we waited more than two years to come back. Today, that is complete and we will continue to work to try to achieve other goals.
Have you thought about stopping your career over the past two years?
Of course. There are times when the devil speaks in your head trying to say it’s over. But there is a good God and I believe in myself and in my qualities and I know that I did nothing (he mentions his positive doping test)that it’s not my fault, I always keep hope.
