Zinedine Zidane insisted that Paul Pogba had everything required to become one of the best around - yet eight years on from those comments, the latter leaves Manchester United under a cloud.
So much has been expected of Pogba since he first burst onto the scene in a United shirt prior to his first Old Trafford exit, but the midfielder is now 29 years of age and still guilty of failing to find form on a consistent basis. Pogba initially left United for the first time in 2012 to ply his trade for one of Zidane's former clubs, Juventus.
The supremely technically-gifted talent returned to Old Trafford for a club-record fee of £89million in the summer of 2016, but not before he got Zidane's seal of approval - though it did come with a clear caveat.
"Maybe we are talking about Pogba a bit too much, but if he can keep up his current development he can become one of the best players ever," Zidane declared. Yet, after the return to Old Trafford, Pogba's development was anything but on a positive linear trajectory.
Instead, the theme of his second spell in United's midfield will be one defined by fleeting moments of genius accompanied with passages where he was little more than a passenger or lengthy spells on the sidelines.
The Red Devils' official statement confirming his release at the end of his contract even eluded to the fact Pogba was very much the individual, rather than someone who made the entire team better.
"It was a low-key end to a United career that brought so many individual high moments," the club said. "So many beautiful goals, assists and pieces of skill.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Why did it fail to properly work out for Pogba at Old Trafford? Comment below
"For a boy that joined the academy at 16 to make over 200 United appearances and lift the Youth Cup, along with two major pieces of silverware, is something that should be applauded and celebrated."
In stark contrast, the tail-end of Pogba's last days in a United shirt were greeted with anything but applause and celebration. In fact, his final game for the Red Devils saw the Frenchman jeered off the pitch as he was replaced against Norwich in April. Hardly the kind of farewell many would have anticipated amid the excitement of his mega-money return six years ago.
Pogba kept his own goodbyes short and sweet, taking to Twitter to write: "I feel privileged to have played for this club. Many beautiful moments and memories but most importantly an unconditional support from the fans. Thank you Man Utd."
At the time of Zidane's comments, it appeared as if the sky was the limit for Pogba - eight years on, another spell at a Juventus side no longer the force they once were seems like the most likely next chapter.
