Seeing France’s misery in Euros, fans recall ‘banned’ Paul Pogba’s gut-wrenching words

It will be another four years till Paul Pogba plays a game of professional football again.

Seeing France’s misery in Euros, fans recall ‘banned’ Paul Pogba’s gut-wrenching words

Paul Pogba has been sentenced to a four-year ban from professional football (Via X/@brfootball & Football__Tweet)

Paul Pogba has been one of France’s best players in recent years. From several iconic goals to memorable celebrations and chants, the 6’3″ midfielder has been at the heart of Les Bleus’ midfield up until he was banned from professional football for doping. His absence from the big stage is being felt by his teammates, who are currently fighting for qualification from Group D at the Euros.

Even though Didier Deschamps brought back N’golo Kante to the national team, the men in blue have struggled to replicate their former selves. Despite playing two games, a French player is yet to score a goal in the competition!

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Without his midfield partner, Kante has been forced to make do with the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. Fans recalled Paul Pogba‘s heartbreaking admission in an old interview as the clip resurfaced on social media.

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I'm over, you know. I'm dead. Paul Pogba doesn't exist anymore.
Paul Pogba told Al Jazeera

The former Juventus man has been banned for four years and will be 34 by the time he is cleared to play. Realistically, it is unlikely that the player will make a return soon enough to be at a top club.

Group D set for photo finish as Netherlands look to top France

France failed to secure the win against the Netherlands in a nervy encounter in Group D a few days earlier. Forced to take to the pitch without their best player, Les Bleus spurned numerous chances to go ahead against the men in orange. A disallowed goal and VAR controversy coupled with the intensity of the game gave rise to an exciting match.

Antoine Griezmann & Xavi Simons
Any side from Group D has a chance of making it to the knockouts on the final matchday (Via X/@equipedefrance & OnsOranje)

However, nothing has been decided in Group D as the four teams head into the final matchday. France and Netherlands are tied on points with four, even though Les Bleus find themselves in second spot owing to an inferior number of goals scored. The Dutch need a positive result against a resolute Austrian side who can very well qualify with a point on the final matchday.

However, they can also top Group D if they beat the Netherlands and France fail to win against Poland. Holland have qualified as group toppers in each of their last two major tournaments. As for Kylian Mbappe, his availability for the game against Poland still remains in question. Didier Deschamps has assured that his recovery is going in the right direction.

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