United’s Martial tips Pogba to win Ballon d’Or ‘in the next five years’

MANCHESTER United’s Paul Pogba is the world’s best midfield player and has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or in the next five years, the Frenchman’s club and national team mate Anthony Martial has said.

Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus in 2016, scored five goals and provided four assists in 30 Premier League appearances last campaign.

The 24-year-old has started the current season strongly with two goals and an assist in the first two league matches and Martial believes his compatriot can reach the next level and become the best footballer in the world.

“Paul is very mentally strong and he is very sure of himself,” Martial said. “He is a big guy, he is very technical on the ball and he has lots of endurance. He is probably the best midfielder in the world.

“He is still young, too, so he has a lot to work on and he can get even better... If he continues to play and improve like he is doing then I think he is also going to win the Ballon d’Or award in the next five years.”

Martial, who has scored two goals in as many league games this season, also praised Pogba’s attributes off the pitch and said the duo are targeting silverware at both domestic and national tournaments.

“We want to win a lot of trophies at United, and we also want to win the World Cup with France,” the 21-year-old added.

The United duo will be looking to extend their flying start to the campaign when the club host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to serve his five-match ban for pushing a referee after the Spanish sports court (TAD) rejected Real Madrid’s appeal against the length of the suspension, Spanish media reported yesterday, citing court officials.

The Portuguese forward shoved official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after being sent off during Real’s 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 13.

As a result the Spanish Football Federation issued Ronaldo with a €3 005 (R46 500) fine and a four match suspension in addition to the automatic one game ban the player was due to serve for the red card.

“Another incomprehensible decision. From injustice to injustice, they will never overthrow me,” Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

The ban ruled Ronaldo out of the Super Cup second leg and Madrid’s first La Liga match of the season against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. Real won both matches.

The striker will sit out league fixtures against Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad before making his comeback against Real Betis on September 20.

TAD could not immediately be reached by Reuters for comment. — Reuters