“I Should Have Done More…” Paul Pogba Gets Honest About Man Utd, Pressure & His Family
4/21/20261 hr 11 min
This is Paul Pogba like you’ve never seen him before.
In one of his most open and honest conversations, Pogba sits down with Rio Ferdinand to talk through the moments that defined his career and the personal struggles that shaped the person behind the player.
From growing up at Manchester United’s academy alongside (and fighting) Ravel Morrison, to learning from legends like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio himself, Pogba reveals what it really took to survive in one of football’s most demanding environments - and why he felt he had to leave when he did.
He opens up on the reality of his second spell at Manchester United, the pressure of his world-record transfer fee, the lack of clarity or plan for his role in the team, and why he believes the environment at the club made it difficult to succeed.
Pogba reveals that he did not know who Graeme Souness was until Rio gave him some detail on his career and achievements within the game which prompts a fascinating discussion about how he felt the media misunderstood him.
But this conversation goes far deeper than football.
Pogba speaks candidly about family issues, betrayal, and the emotional toll it took on him and those closest to him - including the impact it had on his mother. He also reflects on his time away from the game, the challenges of being out of football, and what it’s been like watching from the sidelines with his children asking when he’ll return.
There are also powerful insights into his career highs — winning the World Cup with France, his relationship with stars such as Kylian Mbappé and how players like Andrea Pirlo, N’Golo Kanté and Antonio Conte helped elevate his game to another level.
Plus:
Why consistency of position is everything at the elite level
His honest thoughts on Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and modern midfield roles
The truth about his relationship with José Mourinho
And why he will never change who he is
This is a rare, unfiltered look at one of football’s most talked-about players - in his own words.
📚 Chapters
00:00 Rio Meets Paul Pogba
03:34 Learning English Football
08:11 First Team: Learning from Pros
12:19 First Team Call-Up Delay ⏰
16:20 Juventus: New Challenge
20:12 Pogba's Contract Situation
24:18 Best Midfield Partners Analysis
29:44 Synergy with Kylian Mbappé
33:17 Pogba's Best Man Utd Season
37:01 Bruno Fernandes: City Impact ️
40:47 Football: My Life, My Joy
45:29 Mourinho's Training Methods
49:03 Managerial Changes at United
53:47 Scott McTominay's Success Story
59:36 True Friends in Adversity
01:03:25 Varane: Defensive Pillar ️
01:07:27 Karim Benzema: Striker Analysis
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsPaul Pogba· Guest0:00
'Cause you know, when brothers argue and stuff like that, the first person that is touched is the parents, you know?
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:06
Mm.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:07
So it was, it was difficult for my mother.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:09
Today's guest is one of the most talked about footballers of his generation. A World Cup winner, a player with unbelievable talent, and someone who's carried so much expectation on their shoulders.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:20
I play on the left, play on the right. I play as a striker. I play as a midfielder. I play as a six. If I compare to the other players, like Kevin De Bruyne or Modric, they only play in the same position.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:33
But for all the noise around him, there's a version of Paul Pogba that people rarely hear from. Like, Graeme Souness was coming at you.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:39
I didn't know who he was and I heard that he was a, he's a legend.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:42
No, you, you said to me- I remember I was- When I said to you, you said to me, "Who is?" I didn't even know who he was.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:45
I didn't, yeah.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:45
What did he do? You didn't even know he played football.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:47
It's, it's not. [laughs] It wasn't even bad.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:49
And today, I wanna understand the man behind the footballer.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:53
But this is me.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:54
Mm.
Paul Pogba· Guest0:55
And I will never change. This is who I am.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:58
We'll discuss the successes, why things didn't work out, and how pressure shapes you as a person. Be prepared to challenge your preconceptions because today you'll likely see Paul Pogba in a different way. [upbeat music] Hey.
Paul Pogba· Guest1:15
Knock, knock.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:16
Mr. Pogba.
Paul Pogba· Guest1:18
My man.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:19
How you doing, man?
Paul Pogba· Guest1:21
Yeah, good. You?
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:21
Nice to see you. You good?
Paul Pogba· Guest1:22
Nice to see you too.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:22
How's things?
Paul Pogba· Guest1:23
All good.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:23
You're looking sharp as usual.
Paul Pogba· Guest1:25
Oh, stop it.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:25
[laughs] Looking good, man.
Paul Pogba· Guest1:26
[laughs] Oh, it's okay.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:27
[laughs] How you doing?
Paul Pogba· Guest1:29
Trying to be. Yeah, it's all