Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said that Paul Pogba could learn from Cristiano Ronaldo on how to balance talent and ego.
“Cristiano came as what we called a showpony, all the stepovers, looking good for the fans,” Ferdinand told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview. “He left the best player in the world, who lived and died by the end product. Goals and assists.
“But that’s down to intelligence, [Ronaldo] worked it out, actually, ‘that’s good that the people love me for that, but what’s going to get me there, to the top of the mountain. I need to adjust my game.’ And he left as the best player in the world.
“So Paul Pogba can look at that as something to learn from there as well. What do I really need to do to make myself the best midfielder on this planet?”
Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and the 2007-08 Champions League crown with Manchester United, said Pogba’s attitude reflects the desire to achieve the same success for the club as he has with the French national team.
“Listen, he’s got an ego, that’s not hard to see on social media, this boy’s got an ego, wants to be looked at and talked about as the best player. There’s a hunger and desire for that, with that comes a work ethic,” Ferdinand said of Pogba.
Pogba was a target for Barcelona for much of the summer transfer window amid rumours of a rift with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. However, Pogba has downplayed those rumours, saying last week that “as long as you don’t see me like that with the shirt, it’s not official.”
Ferdinand said it is Mourinho’s challenge to bring out the best of the midfielder, who won the World Cup in the summer with France.
“That’s down to Mourinho to work that out. And I think that’s been the problem so far, they’ve not been able to work out what’s best for Paul Pogba in the Man United team,” Ferdinand said. “Should he be playing in a more deeper, reserved position? Should he be playing on the edge of all the attacks, assisting, providing chances, etc? Where is he best in this team?”
Ferdinand added Pogba and Ronaldo should be compared by how they approach and prepare their games.
“I don’t think it’s in terms of players that you compare them, it’s the mentality side. And that’s where Cristiano Ronaldo beats down every player around. He’s an animal mentally. He’s just single-minded, fearless, and obsessed. Crazy combination.”
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