FIFA World Cup 2018: Paul Pogba Slams Critics over Comparisons with Lionel Messi

Jun 5, 2018 at 4:14 PM

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FIFA World Cup 2018: Paul Pogba Slams Critics over Comparisons with Lionel Messi

Under-fire France star Paul Pogba has come down hard on his critics, telling them ‘no one can tell me how to play’.

The midfielder is enduring a tough spell on and off the pitch in recent times.

While his on-field performances have not been up to mark, pundits and former players have not left a single chance to take a shot at him for those average showings.

During the last season, he had several bust-ups with his Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho. As a result, he found himself warming the bench several times.

His misery then further extended last week when his supporters jeered him after he was subbed off for France in their friendly with Italy. The brilliance of Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele had given the Les Blues a 3-1 win.

But despite the comfortable and impressive win, the French supporters did not refrain from giving Pogba a hostile send-off when he was substituted late in the game.

The former Juventus midfielder had a quiet match unlike the front three of Griezmann, Dembele and Kylian Mbappe.

And with just a few days remaining before the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, Pogba came out all guns blazing.

The Manchester United guy defended his style and flair, arguing not only has he done the same things during his periods of success, but also likening it to someone criticising Lionel Messi for not appearing to run enough on the field.

“I’ve always been like that,” Pogba told France Football. “When I’ve won, I’ve won being like that. That’s my style of play.

“You’re not going to criticise Messi when he walks on the park. If he scores three goals are you going to say: ‘Ah but he’s walking on the pitch?’ No. You can’t tell me how to play.

“If I’m here today, it’s as I am. No one has told me how I must behave. That’s my football, that’s all.

“People can like it or not. Do I need this to be loved? Do I need people to judge me differently? Or do they talk better about me?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfvRgrgHDys/?hl=en&taken-by=paulpogba

He further dismissed concerns over his perception, saying he chooses not to focus on the opinions of others.

“I’m not going to live on what people think, for them to say that I’m nice, good, the best, perfect. Everyone has their opinion. And I respect that.

“I play football, I do what I like. My relatives support me; they’re more important.

“We can’t love everyone and be loved by everyone. That would be perfection, and nothing is perfect in this world.

“I’m not going to be offended if someone says: ‘I don’t love you.’ That’s your right. You don’t have to love me,” he opined.

Pogba has never settled looked at ease since re-joining United from Juventus a couple of years ago. He had faced criticism not only for his game but also for his off-field activities.

Starting from his social media activities to his funky hairstyles, the France ace got targeted for almost everything.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BggH7-nj-CR/?hl=en&taken-by=paulpogba

France will play their warm-up game on Saturday against USA before jetting off to Russia.

The 1998 winners will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Australia in Group C. They then face off against Peru on June 21 and close out group stage play on June 26 against Denmark.

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