Paul Pogba not a big star like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi - Michel Platini



Posted Tuesday, May 19, 2015 by ESPN


Platini doubts if Pogba can reach Messi and Ronaldo's level, with the duo winning the past seven Ballor d'Ors between them.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba cannot be truly regarded as a star of the game alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to UEFA president Michel Platini.

Pogba, often likened to former Juve star Platini for the role he plays for the Bianconeri, has reportedly been rated at €100 million by his club and could be the subject of a world-record bid this summer.

However, Platini is not convinced any potential buyer -- with Messi's Barcelona and Ronaldo's Real Madrid thought to be interested -- would be getting good value for a player he does not see as world-class.

"A big star is a player who scores goals," Platini told France's RTL. "I don't know if Paul Pogba is a player who can play like [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo. They score 50 goals a season.

"The interesting thing about him at Juve is that whenever he loses the ball and his team concede, his teammates tick him off immediately."

Pogba has nevertheless become a key player for club and country this season, scoring eight times in 25 Serie A games to lead Juve to a fourth straight title.

After winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with his country two years ago, he is likely to be part of Les Bleus' side which Platini is convinced can triumph at Euro 2016 next summer.

"Each time France have staged a tournament, they have won it. It's happened twice, and we know that good things come in threes," he said. "[France coach] Didier Deschamps manages to win what he wants so I'm sure he will win a trophy with the French national team.

"The squad have evolved well since the World Cup in Brazil, but they need Karim Benzema to score the goals for Les Bleus to go far."

Platini reaffirmed his stance on the introduction of technology into the game, adding: "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."

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