On the eve of France’s opening game of Euro 2016 against Romania, Paul Pogba has declared he wants this tournament to help him become a legend of the game.
There is considerable pressure and focus on the 23-year-old Juventus midfielder who has become a major part of Didier Deschamps’ side since making his international debut in 2003.
Pogba’s all-round ability means he will be the centrepiece for the Les Bleus attempts to win a hattrick of titles on tournaments held on home soil, after Euro 1984 and World Cup 1998.
On each of those occasions France had a midfield talisman to call upon; in 1984 it was Michel Platini and in 1998 Zinedine Zidane, and Pogba wants to join those national heroes and be remembered for decades to come.
He told ESPN: “I want to work, to be a great, to win everything.
“I don’t think I am a great. I think I’ve done nothing. I’ve done nothing in soccer. I’ve won leagues, but I haven’t won the Champions League, the World Cup, the Euro. Winning the Euro in France, that wouldn’t be bad.
“When I say I want to become a legend, some people say it’s pretentious. For me, it’s a challenge. My desire, a dream. I’m not saying I’ll get there, but it’s what I want.”
Deschamps has been keen to try and maintain a sense of reality when it comes to the potential of his midfield star, aware of the hype and expectation circling him.
Much like his own playing style, when he was branded the water carrier next to the likes of Zidane, Deschamps has encouraged Pogba to play with a more restrained nature, and not believing he has to try and score every time he has the ball.
He said: “People always expect more from him because he is still young and shows a lot on the pitch. I have a clear idea of what I want from him. He can score goals and give assists. But it does not mean he has not put in a good performance if he doesn’t contribute with a goal or assist.
“He has extraordinary technical qualities, but he’s not there to do crazy things each time he touches the ball. He has to find the right balance. He knows that the team sometimes needs him in a bit more neutral role.”
Romania’s last victory against France was a friendly in April 1972 and they have lost five of their last seven away games against Les Bleus.
Coach Anghel Iordanescu is torn over whether it’s a good thing for his side to play the hosts first.
He said: “I’d rather not have started the tournament against France but I must admit it is a great event for Romanian football because the whole world will be watching.”