A Manchester United legend recounts how Real Madrid missed out on a World Cup-winning midfielder in 2016.

France has produced some outstanding midfielders throughout the years, and Real Madrid has been fortunate to have the services of a few of them.

Even with today's team, the foundation of Los Blancos' midfield is primarily French, thanks to Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. That number, however, could have been higher, according to an update from The Overlap podcast.

While N'Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, and Warren Zaire-Emery, along with the Real Madrid stars, represent a distinct generation of French midfielders, Paul Pogba is one of his compatriots who deserves to be included on the list.

A bout of insanity and a failing drug test, however, appear to have cost him the rest of his professional career.

Pobga was close to Real Madrid.

Former French player and Manchester United veteran Patrice Evra stated in a recent podcast that Pogba was close to signing for Real Madrid at one time in his career.

"Paul (Pogba) wanted to move to Real Madrid." Florentino Perez stated, 'We can't offer you the same money. [His agent] Raiola picked up the phone and contacted Manchester United.

The timeframe in issue is undoubtedly the summer of 2016, when Pogba was looking to leave Juventus after more than five years.

Negotiations over his future continued into August, with a multitude of clubs interested in acquiring him. Real Madrid was Pogba's top desire, but his representative, Mino Raiola, was more concerned with negotiating the best financial offer for his client.

In the end, he signed for Manchester United for €105 million, although his career did not take off at the English club. While he was a mainstay for the Red Devils, inconsistency and frequent injuries plagued his time at Old Trafford.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner returned to Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, but earned a doping ban after testing positive for DHEA.

Pogba made his last professional appearance in September 2023, and he is currently banned for the next three years. Already 31, the player may never be able to return to the field at his top performance again.

Comments

The most intriguing Euro 2024 quarter-final ties are listed.

It seems like only a few days ago when fans around the continent sat down to watch Germany thrash Scotland in the opening match, but the quarter-final stage of Euro 2024 is already just around the corner. This summer's tournament has delivered amazing moments and some significant scalps, but none of the competition's minnows have made it to the last eight. Instead, Europe's major boys have all advanced, with the exception of incumbent champions Italy, who were eliminated in the final 16. Not all of the continent's titans have realized their full potential in Germany, but if they want to raise the Henri Delaunay Cup on July 14, they must rediscover their mojo soon. Here are the four quarter-final ties of Euro 2024, evaluated by how entertaining they will be to watch. 4. England vs Switzerland England is the least exciting team to watch at Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate's side has been very poor, especially considering the talent available. There has been little to sug...

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has shifted his opinion on Casemiro.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opted to offer Casemiro the opportunity to stay in his squad for another season. INEOS entered their first summer in charge of United with the goal of improving the club's financial status by making substantial sales and reducing the pay bill in order to revitalize Ten Hag's squad without being concerned about FFP requirements. Multiple reports stated that Casemiro will be one of the first players to leave Old Trafford this summer, with Saudi clubs reportedly showing strong interest in his services. The 32-year-old is one of the club's top paid players. He had a difficult season, and according to The Sun, his relationship with the United manager "had broken down towards" the end of the previous season. The former Real Madrid player also did not start for United in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. However, we are now in the final days of the transfer market, and Casemiro is still with the club. The Peoples Perso...

Arsenal Signs Noni Madueke: Understanding The £48 Million Transfer And Add-Ons.

The summer transfer window is in full swing, and Arsenal has once again sent shockwaves through the Premier League with a significant acquisition. Noni Madueke, the highly-rated winger from Chelsea, is set to swap West London for North London in a deal reportedly worth £48 million, plus an additional £4 million in add-ons, signing a five-year contract until 2030. This transfer is far more than just a player changing clubs; it's a statement of intent, a calculated risk, and a fascinating insight into Arsenal's evolving squad strategy under Mikel Arteta. To fully comprehend the significance of this move, we must delve into the immediate implications for both clubs, the strategic rationale behind Arsenal's hefty investment, and the burning questions that now surround Madueke's role at the Emirates. Arsenal's Ambition: Bridging the Gap Arsenal's recent seasons have been characterized by a determined ascent back to the Premier League's summit. Having challenged f...

The End of an Era: N'Golo Kanté's Quiet Exit from International Football.

There are footballers who leave the international stage with a farewell ceremony, a packed stadium, an emotional speech and a final lap around the pitch. Then there is N’Golo Kanté. His departure from France duty has arrived in a manner that feels entirely consistent with the midfielder himself: quietly, humbly and without demanding attention. No dramatic announcement has overshadowed the moment. No prolonged goodbye has been built around his name. Instead, one of the most influential midfielders of his generation appears to have stepped away almost as silently as he once entered the French national team. That silence is strangely appropriate. Kanté never played football as a performer searching for applause. He played as a servant of the team, the player who appeared wherever danger existed and disappeared into the collective structure once the danger had passed. His greatest contribution was often found in the moments that never became highlights: a passing lane closed before it open...

Debut Dilemmas: How Xavi and Klopp Will Shape Their Teams in the Netherlands vs. Germany Clash.

Some football matches are important because of the competition, some because of the rivalry and others because of the players involved. Netherlands versus Germany carries all three traditions, but the latest meeting in Amsterdam offers something even more intriguing: it is the opening chapter of two completely different managerial projects. Xavi Hernández will lead the Netherlands for the first time, while Jürgen Klopp begins his Germany tenure against one of Europe’s most familiar opponents. The UEFA Nations League fixture at the Johan Cruijff ArenA is therefore more than a contest between two historic football nations. It is an early examination of how two celebrated coaches translate their club philosophies into the compressed and unpredictable world of international football. Neither manager has the luxury of time. At club level, Xavi and Klopp could spend months shaping training habits, repeating positional movements and refining pressing structures. With national teams, the prepa...

Dribble Diaries

Search This Blog