Paul Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta says he had other options this summer but put them all aside to return to Juventus. The midfielder made a surprise return to Turin after six seasons with Manchester United, leaving them again on a free transfer. The Frenchman reportedly had offers from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain but Pimenta says he only had one thing in mind:
Being back at Juve? He was happy. He cares about Juve. He had other options on the table, but when he heard the word Juve he immediately put them aside. He loves this club and he loves Italy. This is because Juventus has given him wonderful moments and the greatest happiness.
Then you know, the player will always remain attached to the club where he makes the leap from unknown to great player, for Paul Juventus means so much. Since he left Juventus he has always watched Juventus games and suffered and cheered for them.
I never heard Paul speak ill of Juventus, except for two things. When he was there they would go to a hotel ritiro and he would complain a lot about the size of the bed: too short. He used to say, “My feet are coming out!” The other thing was pasta la pomodoro: “Rafaela, there is always pasta la pomodoro.” And I would answer him, “You’re in Italy! What do you want to eat? Rice and beans?” But we used to joke a lot about it, and this summer he became almost obsessive about it. He couldn’t wait to close the deal. He was constantly asking me: when do I go to Juve? When am I going to Juve? He was charged like crazy. Weeks passed like that … and then he comes and gets hurt. An immense sorrow.
I live it as Paul’s second mother, as a son … the sorrow was immense. But come on, with all that is going on around him: the serious problems with his brother and his friends, the robbery he suffered last year when his children were also in the house with the nanny, the injuries he suffered in Manchester… and now the injury.
Juventus was very fair to give him the freedom to decide, because the knee is his. Now, he is not a doctor and neither am I. We heard many specialists, most of them suggested surgery, some had suggested conservative therapy.
Obviously when you would like to avoid the operation you are selective in listening and you tend to listen to those who say: conservative therapy… he tried it and it went wrong. Because he was convinced that with conservative therapy he would come back sooner. And he had the goal of getting back as soon as possible to put himself at the service of the team. Fortunately, that’s over now. He will be back on the pitch soon for his Juve.”
