Thomas Simon on his first interview with Paul Pogba | OneFootball

Thomas Simon’s first meeting with Paul Pogba in 2013 ended, memorably, side by side at the urinals. In L'Équipe’s reporting, he recounts the 20 May 2013 encounter at Juventus headquarters, his first assignment for France Football.

Pogba, a 2018 World Cup winner with France, was then at Juventus. The hour-and-a-half sit-down was arranged with Oualid Tanazefti, and came three days before Simon became a father. A lifelong admirer of the Bianconeri, he was realising a childhood wish.

They entered the building as if at home, which grated with communications lead Enrica Tarchi, who said the club did not operate that way and that France Football usually dealt with Roberto Notarianni. Simon said he had been unaware of the required process.

Tanazefti sat at the end of the table, with Pogba facing Simon. The midfielder gave full attention and invited a challenge, mixing warmth with competitive edge. He said he had told Sir Alex no, and joked he would say the same to Obama, the US president, standing tall, accepting mistakes and revelling in his highlights.

They wrapped up with a laugh and a handshake, hands washed, the memory etched as an unlikely full stop. For Simon, the day brought relief and satisfaction, and a first interview he would not forget.

Source: L'Équipe