Paul Pogba Calls Ravel Morrison the ‘Best Player of His Generation,’ Compares Talent to Neymar

Paul Pogba has lauded former Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison, declaring him the “best player of his generation” and comparing his talent to Neymar’s during the Brazilian’s rise at Santos.

Pogba, who had two spells at United, first joined the club as a 16-year-old in 2009 and returned in 2016 for a record transfer fee before leaving for free in 2022.

During his initial tenure, Pogba was part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2011, alongside future first-team mate Jesse Lingard and current Premier League stars Sam Johnstone and Will Keane.

However, Morrison was seen as the jewel in the crown of that youth side, touted as United’s next homegrown superstar.

Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jesse Lingard, Pogba and Morrison celebrating the 2011 FA Youth Cup (Getty)

Despite Morrison’s career not reaching the expected heights—leaving United in 2012 with only three senior appearances—Pogba reminisced about his incredible talent. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated, “Let me tell you, Ravel is the best player of my generation that I have seen. No doubt. I saw stuff Neymar was doing at Santos – Ravel was doing that.”

Pogba and Morrison have remained friends despite their diverging career paths. He recounted a tense moment during training when they nearly clashed. “So I arrived from France, and Rav is already the biggest star.

He was the boss,” Pogba explained. After a strong challenge in training, tensions flared, leading Pogba to suggest they settle things in the dressing room. However, Morrison defused the situation by extending a handshake, solidifying their friendship.

Morrison has continued to support Pogba, recently reaching out to express his happiness when news broke about Pogba’s reduced doping ban. “Rav was the biggest talent of our generation,” Pogba reflected.

“I don’t want to say I feel sorry for his career because you always want to see someone with big talent do good. But as players, we have to take responsibility, too, and he knows it. He realises he would do it differently if he had a chance to do it again.”

Sola Adeniji

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