Pogba and Mata Meet Again at World Cup Event
Former Manchester United midfielders Paul Pogba and Juan Mata have reunited at the World Cup, with Mata expressing his affection for his old teammate on social media. The pair, who played together at Old Trafford, met at an Adidas event in New York City over the weekend.
Mata, now playing for Melbourne Victory, posted a photo on Instagram of Pogba hugging him, captioning it in Spanish: "Love you, my friend!! @paulpogba. It’s always such a joy to see you."
Background on Their Manchester United Careers
Both players left Manchester United in the summer of 2022, having won three major trophies between them during their time at the club. Pogba rejoined Juventus after his second spell at United, while Mata moved to Galatasaray in September 2022 after making 285 appearances for United, scoring 51 goals and providing 43 assists.
Pogba's Recent Career Moves
Pogba left Juventus in November 2024 and was linked with several clubs, including a potential return to United, after serving an 18-month drugs ban. However, he signed for Monaco on a two-year deal in June last year. The 33-year-old made six appearances for the Ligue 1 side last season without scoring or assisting.
Mata's Praise for Pogba
Mata has long been a supporter of Pogba. In 2019, when Pogba was linked with a move away from Old Trafford, Mata described him as "a fantastic midfielder" and "a very good guy." He also called Pogba a "positive influence" who "brings everyone together."
