Pogba leads wild France World Cup celebrations
The midfielder had a fine tournament in Russia, but can he deliver for Manchester United next season?
France star Paul Pogba scored a vital goal and then led the riotous French celebrations after his team’s World Cup win over Croatia.
The Manchester United midfielder “danced and celebrated long into the night” after the game, says the Daily Mail.
“Pogba answered many of his critics with an outstanding performance at the Luzhniki Stadium to cap an excellent tournament and was only too happy to parade the famous trophy on his social media accounts.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He even filmed himself singing ‘It’s coming home’, before apologising to England fans, and played a part in the invasion of the post-match press conference during which coach Didier Deschamps was showered with champagne.
He also provided “one of the images of the tournament during the festivities”, says the Daily Telegraph.
“Enjoying the moment alongside his mother Yeo, and brothers Mathias and Florentin, Pogba and family 'dabbed' in unison alongside the famous gold trophy.”
“He certainly enjoyed it. He enjoys every aspect of life, so he was not going to let this one pass him by,” says Oliver Kay of The Times.
“He was the dominant figure in France’s celebrations on the pitch, standing at the front of the trophy presentations as if conducting an orchestra. He shared their dressing-room scenes with a video that went out live to his 25.3 million followers on Instagram. He even ‘dabbed’ with President Macron. Yes, it was the ultimate millennial celebration from one of the ultimate millennial footballers.”
The challenge now for the enigmatic Pogba is to stay on top of the world.
“Pogba added some diligent defensive work to his goal to cap a fine individual performance and a successful World Cup campaign,” says the London Evening Standard. “The midfielder has now won the biggest prize in football, but his form in Russia has contrasted with some mixed displays since moving back to Old Trafford in 2016.”
And his performance has “led pundits to ask why Didier Deschamps seems able to get a quality out of him that his club manager Jose Mourinho cannot”, reports the Daily Mail.
Even the usually critical Roy Keane was impressed. “I don’t mind Pogba dancing now,” he said on ITV. “He’s entitled to have a dance there. He can do whatever he wants with his hair.”
Rio Ferdinand on the BBC that the pressure was now on Mourinho to “unlock” Pogba’s talent at Old Trafford.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magnificent Tudor castles and stately homes to visit this year
The Week Recommends The return of 'Wolf Hall' has sparked an uptick in visits to Britain's Tudor palaces
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
I'm a Celebrity 2024: 'utterly bereft of new ideas'?
Talking Point Coleen Rooney is the star attraction but latest iteration of reality show is a case of 'rinse and repeat'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The clown car cabinet
Opinion Even 'Little Marco' towers above his fellow nominees
By Mark Gimein Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Teen hit by car and killed during World Cup celebrations in France
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published