Pogba: ‘I hate to lose!’

Paul Pogba discusses his personal ambition at Juventus: 'I want to become the best, I don't care what people think.'

The 23-year-old is undoubtedly the most valuable player among the Bianconeri, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Manchester City willing to offer €100m for his services.

Pogba isn't bothered by the attention he is receiving though, and in fact appears to feel it is commensurate to his reputation.

Paul Pogba discusses his personal ambition at Juventus: 'I want to become the best, I don't care what people think.'

The 23-year-old is undoubtedly the most valuable player among the Bianconeri, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Manchester City willing to offer €100m for his services.

Pogba isn't bothered by the attention he is receiving though, and in fact appears to feel it is commensurate to his reputation.

“I want to become a legend, like Pele or [Diego Armando] Maradona,” he told La Repubblica. “Or more than them. I'm not trying to say that I'm the strongest, only that I want to be.

“I have a problem: I hate to lose. And I like to be different, I want to do what nobody else has done. I work hard because I aim to become perfect and because it makes me happy when I win."

There have been some criticism levelled at the player, particularly from France, the country he will represent at the upcoming Euro 2016.

“If people want to criticise me, I let that be. The evidence paints a different picture though. In 2014 I wasn't in FIFA's top 11, but now I am, and I'll be there in 2016.

“I may not be among the most beloved players, but that's not my target. I'm working to be the best. I'm proud, but I'm not jealous or envious. If [Hugo] Lloris is the most popular, then I'm pleased for him.

“You can always do better. Michael Jordan admitted he made a lot of mistakes, didn't he? What matters is to go beyond. Earlier in the season I wasn't playing at my level, I must admit that, but then the team wasn't either. Now I'm feeling better, and I feel like I helped Juventus give their best.”

The Frenchman was given the #10 shirt for this season, usually assigned to the team's ace.

“It's a number. An important one, especially at Juve, but ultimately just a number. Once I added +5 on the shirt, but it was just a random thought of the day, there was no meaning behind it.

“In football there's no such thing as growing old, you just get experienced. I'm young, but I've already collected experience. In any case I always give it my all, because what matters most is the team. Everything I do, I do it to help the team.”