“You’ve inspired us all”: Paul Pogba praises United legend after Frenchman scooped up controversial award

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba received the ‘Comeback of the Year’ trophy at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday evening. What are the Globe Soccer Awards? Founded in 2010, the ceremony is organised by the ECA (European Club Association) and the EFAA (European Association of Player Agents). It aims to recognise the best players in the world and follows a similar structure to the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s ‘The Best‘ awarda, with votes cast by a select panel of journalists, coaches, former players and agents, alongside the public. Legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello describes it as a “unique event” while Lionel Messi, one of the sport’s greatest stars, revealed his “pride” at winning the Best Player of the Year award in 2023. But it was a different Ballon d’Or winner that Pogba chose to thank at the ceremony, with the Frenchman paying tribute to former teammate and Red Devil, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was also in attendance. A comeback worthy of recognition. Paul Pogba awarded the Comeback Award at the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards 🏆✨ pic.twitter.com/El6qMvfb4R — Globe Soccer Awards (@Globe_Soccer) December 29, 2025 “Cristiano, you’re here; you’ve inspired us all as a football player. You’ve done this for the next generation. A huge thank you, Cristiano,” Pogba stated in his acceptance speech after winning the ‘Comeback of the Year’ trophy. The result was not accepted by the wider footballing community, however, with fierce criticism of the decision to positively recognise Pogba’s ‘comeback’ in the first place.  Comeback of the Year or a Crock? The 32-year-old midfielder received the award in recognition of his return to football after 811 days out of the game. But the panel’s decision was controversial, given this prolonged absence largely stemmed from an anti-doping ban following a failed drugs test in September 2023 while playing for Juventus, who he re-joined after leaving United the previous year. Paul Pogba career stats ClubAppearancesGoalsYears Active Man United302009-2012 Juventus178342012-2016 Man United226392016-2022 Juventus1202022-2023 Monaco302025- In February 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) imposed a four-year ban on Pogba after confirming he had tested positive for DHEA – a prohibited substance on WADA’s banned list that boosts testosterone levels. But the sentence was reduced to 18 months on appeal in October, with the ruling stating he had “inadvertently” used DHEA and acknowledging that it “only has an effect on females”. This enabled Pogba to complete a return this summer, signing a two-year deal with French side AS Monaco on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Juventus by mutual agreement. Former French midfielder Jimmy Cabot is adamant this does not justify the ‘Comeback of the Year’ award, however, proposing two other players in Ligue 1 – Matthieu Udol and Nabil Bentaleb – as more deserving candidates. “Udol, four cruciate ligament injuries, back as a regular starter in a Ligue 1 first team by the winter break with RC Lens,” Cabot wrote on X. “Bentaleb, cardiac arrest, several months out, returns to the pitch and scores the winning goal for Lille. Pogba suspended for doping: trophy.” Pogba’s return has been disrupted by his own injury problems, though they pale in comparison to a cruciate ligament or a cardiac arrest. Issues with his thigh and ankle have limited him to just 30 minutes of football, across three appearances, this season. His extended time away from the sport will do little to help this physical frailty, and is further exacerbated by being the wrong side of 30.  But the Frenchman — who won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018 — retains hope of representing his country at the prestigious tournament next summer, having rejected more lucrative offers in America and Saudi Arabia to remain in top-level European football.  If Pogba were to receive the call up from Didier Deschamps and fire France to another triumph on football’s grandest stage, he would be more than worthy of the ‘Comeback of the Year’ award. But, until then, The Peoples Person mirrors Cabot’s assessment that there were more deserving candidates over the past twelve months. Featured image Ed Sykes via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.