Paul Pogba not a star like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi: Michel Platini
French legend and three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini has said that Paul Pogba is not on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi yet. The former Juventus player says that Pogba’s goal tally is not impressive when compared to Messi or Ronaldo and said that the 22-year-old has a lot to improve.
“Pogba isn’t a superstar. A great footballing star is someone who scores a lot of goals,” the UEFA president told RTL. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 56 goals this season while Messi has found the net 54 times.
Pogba not a 50 goal player
“I don’t know if Paul Pogba is someone who can be on the same level as Messi or Ronaldo, as they both score 50 goals a season,” he added. It is believed that many top clubs across Europe are interested in signing him and the youngster is considered to be one of the most promising talents in the world right now.
Platini believes that Juve’s achievements this season has not been down to just Pogba. “It’s interesting to notice that when he loses the ball and his teammates suffer, they yell at him straight away.”
Pogba has 10 goals to his name from 38 matches this season for the Bianconeri. Juventus have wrapped up the Serie A title and are chasing a treble after reaching the Champions League and Coppa Italia finals.
The player is reportedly valued at € 100 million by Juventus and could move away from the Old Lady for a record sum. He could also play a crucial part in the Champions League final in Berlin where Juve are up against Messi’s Barcelona.
Against all forms of technology
The UEFA president also spoke about why it would be difficult to manage technology if it was introduced in football. “I'm against all forms of technology in football. If we introduce goal-line technology, it would be hard to manage.”
“Everybody tells me that the additional referees don't help at all, but it's FIFA who are preventing them from moving. I did a game as an additional referee behind the goal in Slovenia and it was fantastic. Football is all about fluidity," he said.
Goal-line technology has not been introduced by the UEFA yet, although it is currently being used in the English Premier League.