Transfer Centre

Paul Pogba names Zinedine Zidane as "idol" amid Real Madrid links

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 16 April 2020

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba names Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as one of his footballing "idols" amid speculation linking him with Los Blancos.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has named Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as one of his footballing idols amid speculation linking him with a move to the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos have regularly been credited with an interest in Pogba during recent transfer windows, and they are rumoured to be ready to resume their pursuit when the 2019-20 season ends.

Pogba has fuelled speculation that he could be open to a move to the Spanish capital by including Zidane in his list of six players he looks up to, in addition to fellow Madrid alumni Ronaldo and Kaka.

"I had Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Djibril Cisse and Kaka," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"I will be honest. At the start, I was an Arsenal fan – obviously because of all the French players, you know. Me and my brother were, but my other brother was a Manchester United fan.

"I couldn't say anything so I used to love Thierry Henry and, because of him, I was an Arsenal fan. Then I changed and went on to choose with my other brother. No Arsenal, I went with the other one, the United fan!"

Another of Zidane's former clubs Juventus are also thought to be interested in Pogba, while Paris Saint-Germain have been touted as a possible destination too.