Pogba: 'I want to find the joy of playing football again'
"There is no better place than home! I feel great, it is an unimaginable atmosphere. I am very happy and can't wait to wear the Juventus shirt again," Pogba said on the Italian club's Twitch channel on July 11.
This summer, Pogba returned to Juventus as a free agent and signed a three-year contract with a 12-month self-activation clause. According to Corriere dello Sport, the French midfielder's salary this season is 8.5 million US dollars, with a bonus of up to 2 million US dollars. United asked him to extend his contract for a better deal, but it was rejected.
Pogba revealed he spoke to chairman Andrea Agnelli, vice-chairman Pavel Nedved, coach Max Allegri and a number of Juventus players before returning to Turin. The 28-year-old midfielder is committed to trying to help the club fight for the Grand Slam title. "I want to find the fun of playing football again. My heart has decided, and I firmly believe that my decision is correct. This shirt is everything to me, Juventus have given me the opportunity to be Pogba," he added.
According to Football Italia, Pogba's comments were directed at Manchester United, fans of the club and the Premier League media, who always saw the French midfielder as a "scapegoat" when the club did not perform well.
Pogba played for Juventus between 2012-2016, scoring 28 goals in 124 games, winning four Serie A titles, two Italian Cups, two Italian Super Cups and finishing second in the Champions League in 2015. At that time, he wore the No.6 jersey for three seasons, and got the No.10 jersey in the last year.
Returning to Turin this summer, the French midfielder will wear the No.10 shirt that was vacant after Paulo Dibala left on free. The number once belonged to Juventus legends such as Roberto Baggio or Alessandro Del Piero.
"I gave the No.10 to Dibala and was happy to wear the number again. I told the fans I was home and happy. It's time. I'll be happier when Juventus bring Serie A home," Pogba affirmed.
Pogba and Juventus travel to the United States for preseason next week, playing Chivas Regal on July 22, July 27 and July 31 respectively. The "Old Lady" will play the first Serie A match of the 2022-2023 season against Sassuolo on August 15th.
