Paul Pogba says 'four Scudetti with Juventus are not enough, I'll be the greatest midfielder ever'.
The 'gold nugget of French football', as former UEFA President Michel Platini once referred to him, is an openly ambitious footballer.
In an extensive interview, he explained that he doesn't consider his personal desire to grow to be at odds with playing for the team.
Paul Pogba says 'four Scudetti with Juventus are not enough, I'll be the greatest midfielder ever'.
The 'gold nugget of French football', as former UEFA President Michel Platini once referred to him, is an openly ambitious footballer.
In an extensive interview, he explained that he doesn't consider his personal desire to grow to be at odds with playing for the team.
“If [Barcelona's Leo] Messi scores, does that make him selfish?” he told La Repubblica. “No, being strong lets you help the team. Take Cristiano Ronaldo. He sets himself some incredibly high objectives, he's ambitious, he wants to beat every record, he wants the Ballon D'Or. That's not selfishness.
“Sometimes I play well, and sometimes I don't. That's why I get angry. I hate making mistakes. I made even more mistakes back when I played in the street, and I used to react exactly the same way. Improving, and reducing mistakes – that's what I call experience.
“I've only won four Scudetti. They're not enough for me. I've always been like this, people called me crazy but I want to make history and become the strongest midfielder ever.
“I'd like to surpass [Frank] Lampard. I want to be the midfielder who can do everything, and at the highest levels. Shooting, dribbling, scoring, defending. I want to be like Lampard, but better.
“As for money, I know it comes and goes. I'd be lying if I said it makes no difference not having it, but I see it as a consequence of hard work. The stronger you are, the more you make. Ronaldo deserves the pay he gets, it's not like he steals it.
“As for my future, I want to beat Carpi, then I want the Coppa Italia, and then Euro 2016 in France. After that, I have a contract with Juventus, I can't just get up one morning and take a plane to England. Ask the people who work in the transfer department.”
Pogba was also questioned about the different competitions he takes part in, from the Champions League and Serie A to the international tournaments.
“Four years ago, when we drew Bayern, we thought it was over. This year we thought we could beat them.
“The Italian championship is the hardest, it's all tactics and you have no space at all. In Europe they allow you time to play, although the winners are those with the best defence, like Atletico Madrid.
“As for the Euros, I don't feel the pressure of playing at home. Football is instinct, Messi is instinct, and I play by instinct. If I see an opening, I go for it, without thinking.”