Paul Pogba explains why he so desperately wanted to return to Juventus after Manchester United. ‘This club gave me the opportunity to be Pogba. I want to rediscover my joy of playing football.’
The midfielder famously had joined Juve as a free agent from Manchester United in 2012, was sold to the Old Trafford club for €105m plus bonuses in 2016 and incredibly came back again for free.
He had been offered far higher wages at different clubs, but the France international confessed that bond with the Old Lady was never really broken.
“Home Sweet Home! I feel great, it’s an atmosphere I cannot define, but I am very happy and impatient to be back in the Bianconeri jersey again,” said Pogba on the official Juventus Twitch channel.
His comments felt like a swipe at Manchester United, their fans and the media around the Premier League, who often treated him as a scapegoat for the club’s wider problems.
“I want to rediscover my joy of playing football. I spoke to Allegri, Dybala, Cuadrado, Agnelli and Nedved, so I was always really in contact with all of Juve.
“My heart decided for me and I am sure that I made the right decision. This jersey is everything for me, Juventus gave me the opportunity to be Pogba. Now I want to give back that joy, bringing trophies to a club that deserves only to win.”
The 29-year-old will wear the Number 10 jersey during his second stint in Turin, inheriting the shirt from his friend Dybala, who has left as a free agent this summer.
“I take the number that I had left to a friend like Paulo and I am very happy to get it back. I tell the fans I am back home and I am happy. It’s time! I’ll be even happier when we bring the Scudetto home too.”