Pogba names Real Madrid star as one of the two best players he has faced in his career

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 17 May 2021 15:14 BST
• 2 min read

Paul Pogba has named Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante as the two toughest opponents he has faced in his career.

The 28-year-old has played with Juventus and Manchester United in his club career, as well as reaching the pinnacle of international football by winning the World Cup with France in 2018.

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Throughout his professional career he has played against the best of the best including the likes of Andres Iniesta, Kevin De Bruyne, and Luka Modric, but none of these stars have emerged as his toughest foes.

“The toughest rivals I have ever competed with? To be honest, playing against Kante is complicated and Casemiro too.

“I can’t remember them all, but they are the first two that come to mind,” he told the United Review.

Could Pogba sign for Real Madrid?

Pogba’s selection of Casemiro as one of his toughest opponents will no doubt catalyse debate again about the Frenchman potentially moving to Real Madrid where he would become Casemiro’s team-mate.

The former Juventus midfielder is seemingly constantly linked with a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu and earlier this season caught some criticism after admitting a move to Real Madrid was one of his dreams.

“We have all heard that things have been said. What to say? Yes, all footballers would love to play for Real Madrid. It might be a dream,” he said in October.

“It is a dream for me, why not one day? But I play for Manchester United and I love my club. I perform for Manchester United, I have fun and I want to do everything to put the club where it deserves to be .

“I will give my maximum, like my team-mates.”

Due to the transfer fee Pogba would command, even though his contract runs out in 2022, it is unlikely Real Madrid would be able to sign the World Cup winner this summer.

Los Blancos as not in the best of states financially, and any money they do manage to put together via player sales or other means would likely go towards the priority signing of Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland.