"They became friends after Euro 2016": Paul Pogba-Olivier Giroud, the Blues' ties

You'd have to have spent the summer in a cave or been very far removed from the world of football to have missed the news. While the current transfer window isn't the most unbridled France has ever seen, it has been sufficiently heated and rich in notable moves. At the end of June, AS Monaco made the signing of Paul Pogba and his brilliant calling card official. At the beginning of July, his buddy Olivier Giroud settled down in the North and joined Lille after a short getaway to the United States. Two world champions who decided to return home at the same time (three if we add Florian Thauvin to Lens), not many people had sensed it except for some shrewd managers determined to strike hard. This Sunday evening, "La Pioche" and "Oliv" won't have the opportunity to fight like they did in their duels across the Channel. The former Mancunian (32 years old) still needs time to perfect his physique and become the man he was. The ex-Arsenal player, meanwhile, is still fresh at 38 and continues to score as he always has. In any case, the planned duel between Lille and Monaco is a wink and will take the public back to their delicious memories.

"A form of mutual respect"

Together, the midfielder and the center-forward shared more than a decade of French football and lifted a World Cup in Russia. Together, they have lived through eras and built a French team that is back to winning. Together, they have also become respected leaders and have built up their impressive resumes. "Paul and Olivier really became friends after Euro 2016," says a person close to the dressing room at the time. "From then on, their relationship has always been top-notch. There was a form of mutual respect, they got along well on and off the pitch. They also became key players with Hugo (Lloris), "Raph" (Raphaël Varane), and Antoine (Griezmann). They were often together." Pogba and Giroud don't have the same personality, but they share similarities that serve the French squad well. "They don't have anything in common that stands out, but they both had a calm and tranquility that resonated with the group," our source explains. "They also knew how to coach the young players who were coming up, like Kylian (Mbappé)."

"Two die-hards, two football and sports fans"

Called up to the French national team between 2014 and 2021 (1 selection), Benoît Costil confirms. "They are capable of putting the house in order at certain times, of hitting when necessary and then setting an example," says the former Rennes goalkeeper. "They know how to set the framework." The connection is visible on the pitch. The two men get along and understand each other. "Paul could cross with his eyes closed, he knew Olivier would be there," says the close friend of the two players. The duo also finds the right balance between a sense of work and breathing. "Two hard workers, two fans of football and sport," describes Costil. " I was often in goal for the shots at the end of the session and they were there. There was laughter, there was life but with seriousness. They applied themselves to the gestures, wanted to score as many goals as possible... It was strong!"

"They are not locked into their close group of friends."

While Pogba is more exuberant and a leader at heart than his elder brother, the two friends seem to have the same ear for taking the pulse of a group. "They are fundamentally good people, top guys," their former teammate still enthuses. "Despite his status as a star and a great player, Paul is interested in you. He looks you in the eye when he says hello, he doesn't neglect people. Olivier is someone I identify with through values ​​like family, crazy things... They are not locked in their small group of close friends, they interact with everyone, are friendly. If they sense that a guy is not in his element, they will go and reach out to him. They will not try to trample on him or ignore him." A greatness of soul coupled with an open-mindedness that facilitates relationships within a group. In France as elsewhere. "I remember the laughter in the locker room," recalls our witness. "When the two of them started to burst out laughing, it was something else!" Benoît Costil sums up: "They have very strong mutual memories, bonds that will last forever." And a certain sense of timing, to immerse their country in a sweet past that is always good to dust off.