Pogba emotionally pays tribute to Ronaldo at the prestigious awards ceremony

Paul Pogba offered heartfelt compliments to Cristiano Ronaldo as he accepted the Comeback Globe Soccer Award. They had been teammates at Manchester United during the 2021/22 campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo is ending 2025 in an incredibly impressive manner. On Saturday night, December 27, the Portuguese superstar scored twice in Al Nassr's 3-0 victory over Al Akhdood, bringing his career goal tally to 956. But that was not all; on Sunday, Ronaldo was further honored with the award Best Player at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards ceremony.

These achievements are not only an inspiration to fans but also a great motivation for Ronaldo’s teammates and rivals, including Paul Pogba. In September 2023, the French midfielder was handed a four-year ban after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels during his time at Juventus. However, after appealing on the grounds that the banned substance entered his body due to a medical error, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the suspension to 18 months.

After signing with AS Monaco, Pogba was only able to make his official return on November 22, ending nearly two years away from competitive football. This comeback earned him the Best Comeback Award at the Globe Soccer Awards. In his acceptance speech, Pogba was visibly moved and thanked those who stood by him during difficult times, especially his family:

Pogba shared: “It wasn’t easy at all... This is a very important moment in my life, helping me realize who truly stands by you, who loves you when you’re no longer in the spotlight. This award means a lot to me and my wife. We have been through so much together. She has supported me greatly, and my children always keep a smile on my face.”

Additionally, Pogba did not forget to express his gratitude to his idol and former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo: “Cristiano, you are here with us. You have inspired all of us as a footballer. You have done so for the next generation. Thank you very much, Cristiano.”

Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo shared the same dressing room at Manchester United during Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford (2021/22). Although they appeared together in 21 matches, neither scored while on the pitch simultaneously. Currently, Pogba plays for AS Monaco and has appeared three times, totaling 30 minutes of play. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that Pogba’s greatest inspiration still comes from his former “Red Devils” teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo.