Paul Pogba makes controversial Bruno Fernandes Ballon d’Or claim

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has made a striking claim, suggesting that current Old Trafford star Bruno Fernandes would be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or if he were playing for rivals Manchester City .

Fernandes has enjoyed a standout season for United after rejecting advances from Saudi Arabia last summer.

His impressive tally of 18 assists places him just two shy of the Premier League record for a single campaign.

While Fernandes is already recognised among the frontrunners for domestic end-of-season accolades, Pogba believes a move to a more successful club would elevate him to global recognition.

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Pogba feels Fernandes would be in the Ballon d’Or conversation if he played for Man City (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pogba elaborated: "Do you think Bruno if he is in another team, he’s not in the top three Ballon d’Or players? For me, you put him in City , he’s Ballon d’Or (top) three.

“He’s in the three Ballon d’Or (contenders), Bruno Fernandes , with the stats this season, the way he plays and everything.

“But when you don’t win, they don’t think about you. This is life, this is football."

Pogba and Fernandes played alongside each other at United between 2020 and 2022, before the former opted to leave Old Trafford to join Juventus for the second time on a free transfer.

Injuries and a doping ban have since hampered Pogba’s development, but the World Cup winner is now back in his homeland playing for Ligue 1 club Monaco .

The 33-year-old has made four appearances for Monaco this season, who are currently seventh in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, Fernandes has continued to lead from the front at United, with Michael Carrick’s men now closing in on securing Champions League football for next season.