Paul Giblin
ST PETERSBURG, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Earlier in this World Cup, 25-year-old French star Paul Pogba said that it could be the last time he appeared in the finals stage. If that is the case, he will be bowing out young but on a high. "I'll be 29 in four years; who knows if other young players will come through to take my place?" Pogba said.
If he continues to play like he has in his last two appearances for his country, it is the younger players who should be worried.
"He's a monster," said France coach Didier Deschamps following his team's 1-0 win over Belgium in Tuesday's semifinal. Deschamps, nicknamed "the water carrier" during his international career as a player, knows a bit about playing in midfield.
"He has grown in the team, he's an expressive player and his performance only increases his importance to the side," Deschamps said.
It all shows how a World Cup can turn a player's fortunes around in a short period of time. Pogba travelled to Russia after a difficult season with Manchester United, where he often seemed at odds with manager Jose Mourinho's plans.
Perhaps because of his club issues, he also struggled to make an impact in France's opening game in the World Cup, even prompting the call from the French fans and media for him to be dropped, which is probably what had him mulling over his international future.
But World Cups are special events, with a possible seven games in a month compressing development in a short space of time, and Pogba has grown as France has progressed.
Of course it helps that he has N'Golo Kante at his side. Pogba can play knowing the Chelsea midfielder will be scurrying around filling any gaps behind him, sweeping the ball up and feeding him with a simple pass, allowing him to stride forward rather than being caught in an attack-nor-defense no-man's land in midfield.
An intelligent man, who speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish (even though he has never lived in Spain), Pogba dedicated Tuesday's win to the 12 boys rescued from a cave in Thailand.
Even Mourinho was impressed by his performance. "I think he had a very good game," he said on Russian TV. "He played with maturity when he had to and when he had to hold position and keep control of the play he did. He had freedom to keep the ball away from dangerous areas, to keep the ball, to assist Griezmann for a great chance, he was very mature," said the Manchester United boss.
Pogba will be in the side when France take the field for the World Cup final on Sunday and it's clear that in this tournament, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
