Mino Raiola said one year ago that Juventus could not afford Paul Pogba and detailed a tense meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson that led to the Frenchman’s departure from Manchester United in 2012.
Raiola died after an illness in April. He was one of the most influential agents in the world and his ex-client Paul Pogba calls him the ‘terror of clubs’ in the first episode of Pogmentary, a documentary based on the life and career of the France midfielder, released by Amazon Prime today.
It begins in May 2021, when Pogba had a year left in his contract with Manchester United. Pogba has a virtual meeting with Raiola and Rafaela Pimenta, who had visited the Frenchman in his home in Manchester. Raiola wants Pogba to immediately leave Manchester United, revealing that he has already called PSG and had two meetings with Barcelona.
When asked whether Juventus can afford his return, Raiola replies: “No, no. Juventus can’t afford you anymore. I’m here. I’m also meeting with Paris and I have already had two meetings with Barca. The market is like the sea: up, down, up, down.”
Things have changed now as the Bianconeri have reached an agreement with Pogba and Pimenta and are expected to announce the midfielder’s return in a couple of weeks.
It will be his second spell in Turin. Pogba had already joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer from the Red Devils in June 2012 after refusing to sign a contract extension with Manchester United.
Raiola describes the meeting with at-the-time Manchester United coach Ferguson who later accused Pogba of lacking respect.
“You can call it a meeting. I call it a disaster,” says Rafaela Pimenta
“I went in front of Mr. Alex Ferguson, who I highly respect, he has a huge history, but respect is something you give before you get it back,” adds Raiola.
“Mr Ferguson thought that we were exaggerating the value of Paul, that he should have been happy to sign. I told him that for that money, my chihuahua would not walk on the grass of the training centre, but I don’t know if it’s something the world needs to know.”
Pogba describes his reaction: “I was shocked. We took everything and he said: ‘We leave.’ And we left.
“I don’t know if Sir Alex Ferguson has ever seen anything like that in his career.”
Raiola then clarifies why he decided to end talks with Manchester United and leave for Juventus: “The break was not about the money, it was about no respect, no appreciation, no trust.”
The Frenchman returned to Old Trafford in a €100m deal in 2016. The 29-year-old scored 34 goals in 178 appearances during his four-year spell in Turin between 2012 and 2016. Juventus are expected to announce his return next month after reaching an agreement over a four-year deal.
Fergie was right, never a fit for United.
Fergie got so many things right, some of which only come out years later. I’m no United fan but respect where its due. He’s a bit like Elvis, was big when he was around and became even bigger after he left.
Raiola was just thinking about the money , Pogba don’t , life in not just money , if Raiola where still alive he would have push Pogba to PSG’s golden cage.
Pogba showed all the football players that life is not just money , my opinion is that there not a big difference between 10 million per year or 12 million or 15 million , you can get 10 million and enjoy or get 15 million and have a disaterious life , it’s not worth it.