The contrasting fortunes of the Pogba family: While Paul pockets £300,000-per week at Manchester United, brother Florentin is on the lookout for a new club and Mathias plays for Manchego in the Spanish FOURTH tier

  • The Pogba brothers have enjoyed mixed fortunes as professional footballers 
  • Star midfielder Paul is earning £300,000 per week at Manchester United
  • But his siblings Florentin and Mathias have struggled to make a similar impact
  • Florentin is currently searching for a new club after leaving Atlanta United
  • Mathias currently plays for Spanish minnows Manchego amid a contract dispute

The tale of the Pogba brothers is one of contrasting fortunes and a trophy-laden journey to stardom.

The youngest sibling, Paul, currently earns £300,000 per week at Manchester United, and has established himself as one of world football's most coveted, albeit controversial, midfielders.

But as the 26-year-old continues to be linked with a high-profile return to Juventus or a big-money switch to Real Madrid, his two brothers have slipped into the shadows - with both struggling to sustain careers at the highest level. 

Despite Paul Pogba's success in achieving stardom, his brothers struggle to make an impact

Despite Paul Pogba's success in achieving stardom, his brothers struggle to make an impact

Both Florentin and Mathias are also professional footballers, but have been unable to replicate the same route to success taken by their World Cup-winning younger brother.


Paul's journey began in the youth ranks at Old Trafford, before a transfer to Turin in 2012 attracted the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson. But the gamble spectacularly paid off as his huge talent saw him develop into one of the most influential and creative midfielders in the world, and he later opted for a second adventure in the Premier League.

Despite the mixed reaction to his off-field antics and well-publicised desire for a new challenge, the United superstar is undoubtedly one of the sport's most recognisable faces.

But as several of the continent's largest clubs battle to secure Paul's signature, Florentin, a centre-back, is currently searching for a new club.

Florentin, a 29-year-old defender, played for St Etienne but is now searching for a new club

Florentin, a 29-year-old defender, played for St Etienne but is now searching for a new club

The 29-year-old began his career with French outfit Sedan, and was later snapped up by Saint-Etienne on the final day of the transfer window in 2012. Florentin impressed after a loan spell away, and returned to establish himself as the club's first-choice centre back - displacing long-time servant Loic Perrin in the process.

But six years later, after 86 appearances in the top flight, Florentin was shipped out to Genclerbirligi on a short-term deal. And just months later he had finally made the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. 

With the Turkish club losing by a single goal in a crucial clash against Antalyaspor, Florentin limped off the pitch after picking up a knock and removed his shirt. 

The Ankara side, who were battling to avoid relegation, had already used their three substitutes and Florentin's choice to leave the field angered captain Ahmet Oguz. 

The midfielder even confronted the crocked star, who spun round and walked back on to face his team-mate. With players and staff forced to intervene and separate the incensed pair, Florentin soon became a free agent when his contract expired at the end of the campaign.

The centre back most recently featured for MLS outfit Atlanta United but was then released

The centre back most recently featured for MLS outfit Atlanta United but was then released

A move to Elche, competing in the Segunda Division, beckoned after a successful trial, but a registration issue meant that negotiations collapsed. A month later, Florentin penned a contract with MLS side Atlanta United following a pre-season session with the team. 

He contributed to a new division record, a fifth consecutive shutout victory against Vancouver Whitecaps, and also helped his new club lift the 2019 Campeones Cup after winning a penalty that sealed a 3-2 win over Club America. 

However, his spell in the United States was brought to an end after Atlanta declined the option to extend his contract, rendering Florentin a free agent once again.

Younger brother Paul infamously attracted irritation from the United fan base after being struck down with illness following Florentin's wedding. The midfielder appeared in high spirits, and was filmed dancing following a recovery from an ankle injury.

The immediate future of Mathias, meanwhile, is just as uncertain. The striker, who is the twin of Florentin, is currently embroiled in a contract dispute between Spanish fourth-division clubs Manchego and Lorca.

Bizarrely, both teams believe that they have the forward tied down under contract, with Mathias having joined the former at the start of the season. Lorca even appeared to announce their newest addition on Twitter, only for Manchego to deny the move.

The uncertainty perhaps summarises Mathias' nomadic career, which has currently spanned nine different clubs. 

Despite making four international appearances for Guinea, Mathias has struggled to establish himself across his countless spells across Europe. 

After growing up in Paris, Mathias joined the youth academy at Celta Vigo alongside Florentin, although both experienced difficulties with adapting to life in Spain due to the language barrier and being away from their family. 

HOW DO THE CAREERS OF THE POGBA BROTHERS COMPARE? 

PAUL POGBA 

Age: 26

Position: Midfielder

Clubs: Manchester United (2011-12), Juventus (2012-16), Manchester United (2016-PRESENT)  

Career goals: 65

National team: France

International caps: 69

Career honours: World Cup, Europa League, 2x Italian Cup, 4x Serie A champion, 2x Italian Super Cup, English League Cup 

FLORENTIN POGBA

Age: 29

Position: Defender

Clubs: Sedan (2010-12), Saint-Etienne (2012-18), Sedan (2012-13, loan), Genclerbirigi (2018), Atlanta United (2019)

Career goals: 9  

National team: Guinea 

International caps: 18

Career honours: US Open Cup 

MATHIAS POGBA

Age: 29

Position: Striker

Clubs: Quimper (2009-10), Wrexham (2010-12), Crewe (2012-14), Pescara (2014-15), Crawley Town (2015), Partick Thistle (2015-16), Sparta Rotterdam (2016-17), Tours (2018-19), Manchengo (2019)

Career goals: 44 

National team: Guinea 

International caps: 4

Career honours: Football League trophy 

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Mathias Pogba (right) is caught up in a dispute between two Spanish fourth division clubs

Mathias Pogba (right) is caught up in a dispute between two Spanish fourth division clubs

Mathias soon returned to his homeland and joined fourth-division club Quimper. And in September 2010, following a productive trial, he then joined Wrexham in the Conference National. 

After a two-year spell, Mathias rejected a new contract offer in a bid to broker a move to a higher level. Despite being labelled as 'disrespectful' during an acrimonious exit, the frontman signed for Crewe.

After a successful spell in Cheshire, Mathias once again requested to leave and explained that he was in search of a greater challenge.

An underwhelming six-month stay with Serie B outfit Pescara followed, before yet another fruitless adventure back in England with Crawley Town. But after the club slipped into League Two, Mathias departed and would later also represent Partick Thistle, Sparta Rotterdam and Tours before settling on a move to Spain.

His frustration over a stuttering career further mounted after a rejection from German third-tier side Uerdingen, with the club's manager revealing Mathias' poor physical shape was the reason behind the snub.

But while the older Pogba brothers continue to struggle to break out of Paul's shadow, they have been increasingly vocal about their younger sibling's future. 

Both Florentin and Mathias have been increasingly vocal on the future of their younger sibling

Both Florentin and Mathias have been increasingly vocal on the future of their younger sibling

Rumours surrounding the United superstar reached fever pitch during the summer with persistent links to both Turin and Madrid, and Florentin further stoked the flames by refusing to tie his brother's commitment to Old Trafford. 

Mathias, speaking to El Chiringuito, also added: 'I can't assure you that he is going to stay at United. We know he wanted to move, but he's not to blame. He's waiting. He works hard and we'll see what happens.'

Despite his brothers' interjections, Paul remained in Manchester and is certain to remain until the summer after a string of injuries hampered the beginning of his campaign. 

United supporters are hopeful that the star, recruited for a one-time world record fee of £89million, will return and provide enough firepower to secure the club a Champions League spot. 

And his siblings also remain united in their support for Paul, and will surely seek to make a similar impression of their own this season.

The support for the Manchester United midfielder is united amid speculation over his future

The support for the Manchester United midfielder is united amid speculation over his future

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