Long before Paul Pogba became a World Cup winner and one of the most recognisable midfielders in world football, Rio Ferdinand already believed he was destined for the very top.
In 2014, while covering the FIFA World Cup in Brazil for BBC Sport, the former Manchester United and England defender made a bold prediction about his former teammate.
Ferdinand did not just believe Pogba could become one of the world's best midfielders. He believed he would:
"Paul told me before he left that he wanted to be ‘the best player in the world’. I don't know whether that will happen, but he will definitely turn out to be the best midfielder in the world."
At the time, Pogba was only 21. He had left Manchester United two years earlier for Juventus in search of regular first-team football, but Ferdinand had already seen enough behind the scenes at Old Trafford to know that the young midfielder possessed something special.
Ferdinand Saw Pogba's Potential At Manchester United
Pogba joined Manchester United's academy from Le Havre in 2009 and quickly began making an impression.
Although he made only a handful of senior appearances before leaving the club in 2012, Ferdinand had seen what the midfielder could do in training.
"The things he did in training meant every member of Manchester United's first-team squad was in no doubt how good he was, and how good he could be."
That was a huge endorsement. Pogba was training alongside established United stars, yet his ability was already impossible to ignore.
For Ferdinand, the midfielder's potential was obvious.
Pogba Wasn't Afraid To Back Himself
One of the qualities Ferdinand admired most about Pogba was his confidence. The young midfielder was not afraid to set himself an enormous target.
Pogba wanted to become the best player in the world. Rather than seeing that ambition as unrealistic, Ferdinand viewed it as one of his young teammate's greatest strengths:
"As well as his undoubted ability, his strength is definitely his self-belief."
For a young player trying to break into one of the biggest clubs in world football, that confidence can be crucial.
Ferdinand believed you needed to believe you belonged at the highest level before anyone else would believe it for you.
Pogba Made A Huge Decision At 19
Pogba's decision to leave Manchester United in 2012 could have been viewed as a major risk.
He was just 19 and was walking away from one of the biggest clubs in world football.
But Ferdinand saw something different.
He saw a young player backing himself.
"He made the big bold move to leave United, the best club in the world in my eyes, at only 19 because he wanted opportunities."
It was a decision that ultimately transformed his career.
Pogba moved to Juventus, established himself in the first team and quickly became one of Europe's most exciting midfielders. The move also proved that sometimes a young player's pathway does not have to follow the route everyone expects.
The Confidence To Demand The Ball
Ferdinand's admiration for Pogba went beyond his technical ability.
He was impressed by the midfielder's response to the physical and mental demands of playing alongside senior professionals.
“He earned our respect by never moaning, never shouting and never making a fuss. He always wanted the ball still and that kind of attitude has helped him progress.”
That desire to continue asking for the ball was significant. Even when training was difficult, Pogba wanted to be involved.
Even when senior players tested him, he continued to show for possession. For Ferdinand, that mentality separated him from many other young players.
Paul Scholes Wasn't Going Easy On Him
One of the best examples came from training sessions involving another Manchester United midfield legend.
Ferdinand recalled how Paul Scholes would put Pogba through his paces.
“I remember Paul Scholes kicking the living daylights out of him in every single training session, every day.”
Yet Pogba kept demanding the ball, he kept playing and he kept improving. For Ferdinand, that resilience was a huge part of what made the youngster so exciting.
The Technique Was Already There
Of course, confidence alone would not have been enough.
Pogba also possessed the technical qualities to back up his ambition.
Ferdinand was particularly impressed by his combination of size and technical ability.
“He is the same size as me, at over 6ft 1in, but he has great feet and silky skills.”
For a midfielder of Pogba's physical stature to possess such close control and technical quality made him an incredibly difficult player to defend against.
Ferdinand also highlighted his touch.
“His touch is phenomenal, and he is a fantastic footballer.”
It was a combination that would eventually become one of Pogba's trademarks.
From Academy Prospect To World Champion
Ferdinand's prediction came before Pogba had reached the peak of his career. But the years that followed demonstrated just how quickly the youngster could develop.
At Juventus, Pogba became a central figure in one of Europe's strongest midfield units. He won four consecutive Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and two Italian Super Cups during his first spell in Turin.
Pogba then returned to Manchester United in 2016 for what was, at the time, a world-record transfer fee. Two years later came the ultimate international achievement.
The Frenchman played a key role as France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring in the final as Les Bleus defeated Croatia 4-2. The young midfielder Ferdinand had backed had become a World Cup champion.
A Lesson For Young Players
Ferdinand's comments also offer a valuable lesson for young footballers. Pogba's journey was not simply about having talent, it was about believing in that talent.
At 19, he made the decision to leave Manchester United because he wanted the opportunity to play more regularly. That required confidence, ambition and, ultimately, it required him to back himself.
For young players coming through academies today, Ferdinand's story about Pogba is a reminder that confidence does not have to mean believing you are already the finished article.
It can mean believing that you have the ability to reach the level you are aiming for and being prepared to work towards it.
Ferdinand Saw Something Special
When Ferdinand made his prediction in 2014, Pogba had already shown flashes of the player he could become.
His career would go on to include domestic titles in Italy and England, international glory with France and some unforgettable moments on the biggest stages.
But perhaps the most fascinating part of Ferdinand's assessment is that he saw the potential before the trophies arrived.
He saw the technique., he saw the confidence., he saw the mentality and most importantly, he saw a young player who was never afraid to ask for the ball:
“If you really want to make it and be seen, just make sure you're dedicated, you're doing things properly, you're professional, you're looking after your body, on and off the field mentality, it's got to be good as well.”
Ferdinand's prediction about Pogba is a perfect example of what can happen when elite talent is matched by belief.
Sometimes, the players who reach the very top are the ones who are confident enough to believe they belong there long before everyone else does.
