Paul Pogba: Bruno Fernandes Would Win Ballon d’Or at Manchester City
POLICY WIRE — Manchester, UK — Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has publicly stated his conviction that club captain Bruno Fernandes possesses the calibre to claim the prestigious...
POLICY WIRE — Manchester, UK — Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has publicly stated his conviction that club captain Bruno Fernandes possesses the calibre to claim the prestigious Ballon d’Or if he were part of a team like rival Manchester City.
Paul Pogba’s High Praise for Fernandes
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the 33-year-old French international emphasized that while Fernandes is undoubtedly a ‘top player,’ his potential for greater accolades would be unlocked by being surrounded by a superior squad. Pogba, who had two spells with Manchester United before joining Juventus again in 2022, believes a move to a more dominant team would elevate Fernandes’s global recognition.
He posed the question directly: "Do you think Bruno, if he’s in the other team, he’s not in the top three, a Ballon d’Or player? You put him in [Manchester] City, he’s in the Ballon d’Or."
Pogba’s assessment of Fernandes’s playing style:
"He’s everywhere on the pitch. He has a volume. He keeps running. He’s smart. He can play two touches, one touch. He can shoot."
Fernandes’ Stellar Performance and Club Loyalty
Fernandes recently earned the Premier League Player of the Month award for March, marking his sixth such achievement, which draws him level with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder also recorded his 18th Premier League assist of the current season during a victory against Chelsea, providing the setup for Matheus Cunha’s goal. He is now only two assists shy of matching the record of 20, jointly held by legends Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Despite his individual brilliance, Pogba highlighted a crucial factor for major awards: "When you don’t win, we don’t think about you." This underlines the importance of team success in securing personal accolades. United goalkeeper Senne Lammens previously lauded Fernandes for "driving the dressing room towards a higher level," underscoring his leadership qualities.
Since joining Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47 million, Fernandes has made 322 appearances, scoring 106 goals. Last summer, he demonstrated strong commitment to Old Trafford by turning down lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, with his contract extending until 2027, including an optional additional year.
Fernandes, who was last a nominee for the coveted accolade in 2021, placing joint 21st, continually demonstrates the high level required in top-tier European leagues, a standard often seen in critical matches such as Inter Milan’s recent Serie A final berth victory.
Reflecting on Manchester United’s Shifting Culture
The conversation also touched upon Pogba’s own experiences at Manchester United, particularly his record-breaking £89 million return in 2016 from Juventus. He shared insights into the contrasting club culture, noting the distinct atmosphere from his earlier departure under Sir Alex Ferguson, when he felt his opportunities were limited.
Upon his second arrival, coinciding with José Mourinho’s appointment after Louis van Gaal’s dismissal, Pogba observed a significant change. "The culture was different… Even the food, everything inside was different. I said, it’s a bit weird, you know? It’s not the same club as when I left," he reflected on the club’s post-Ferguson era.
Pogba’s Advice for Young Talent and Personal Revival
Having navigated his own complex career path, Pogba expressed empathy for young talents like Kobbie Mainoo, who is currently in contract extension discussions with Manchester United. The 21-year-old, who made his debut in 2023 and received his first England call-up a year later, is at a pivotal moment in his career.
While acknowledging Mainoo’s immense talent and potential for a "great career at Manchester United," Pogba cautioned that young players must ensure they have a strong relationship "with the manager." Despite Mainoo’s previous rejected loan request to Napoli and subsequent re-integration under Michael Carrick, Pogba understands the difficult decision of potentially leaving a beloved club.
Pogba himself recently returned to football in November, signing with Ligue 1 club Monaco, following a four-year doping ban that was reduced to 19 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "I’m grateful to be back and play football again after everything that happened," he shared, adding, "I see football totally different. I enjoy myself. I want to enjoy."
