He may be one of the most instantly recognisable footballers on the planet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some people out there who have no clue who Paul Pogba is.
In the following wonderful Twitter yarn, E-Sports commentator Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) details the precise sequence of events that led to his parents getting a photo taken with Pogba on a train despite not having the foggiest idea who the man with ‘red crocodile skin luggage’ was.
Basically, Nate grew up in Australia and has always been obsessed with football. The rest of his family, however, do not share his passion.
I’ve always loved sport. Ever since I can remember, I’ve played it, watched it – it’s always been a main part of my life.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
My family though just has no interest. Zero. My Nanna liked the Tennis (God rest her soul) but I never had anyone to watch it with at home, couldn’t talk about it. *violins play*
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
Present Day –
Football is my #1. It’s beautiful, simple yet complicated, and played all over the globe.
All. Over. The. Globe.
3.572 billion people watched the 2018 World Cup, where France defeated Croatia in a thrilling Final.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
My family? Still no interest.
My sister and her beautiful family do their thing, my brother is some type of genius, and my parents are in England for a bit where my Dad is working on a big project.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
Patrick’s mother and father were on a train in England (which had come from Manchester) when they began to get a little perturbed by the particularly boisterous game of Uno taking place further along the carriage.
They were on a train, and a group of people were behind them, playing Uno.
Mum and Dad turned around a few times, as apparently they were making a little bit of noise.
Yes my parents get disturbed by an exciting card game, now you can see I don’t think they’d cope with Wembley.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
These lads knew they were making a bit of noise, so they come up to Mum and Dad, and apologise, and ask if they’d like a photo.
Dad is like, oh, that’s nice, and gives one of the gentleman his phone for this stranger to take a photo of Mum and Dad on this train from Manchester.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
The stranger looks weirdly at my Dad, at says (with a French accent) “No, no no, I am asking if you would like a photo with me, sir?”
My Dad looks at my Mum like who on earth does this guy think he is?
But also my Dad is mega-polite, and obliges to be in the photo.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
You can probably guess where this is heading.
Having read through all of these messages, my Dad sends through the photo, and asks “Nathan, you wouldn’t happen to know who this is?”.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
IT’S PAUL BLOODY POGBA pic.twitter.com/UhFm0qZBiN
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
Needless to say, Patrick was staggered.
MY PARENTS ARE ON A TRAIN WITH THE ENTIRE MANCHESTER UNITED SQUAD AND THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE BECAUSE OF COURSE THEY DON’T
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
MY DAD ASKED PAUL POGBA TO TAKE A PHOTO OF HIM AND MY MUM
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
THE NOISY UNO HOOLIGANS AREN’T LOUD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON THEIR WAY TO WATCH A FILM IT’S THE MOST FAMOUS FOOTBALL TEAM ON THE PLANET YOU STUPID STUPID GORGEOUSLY IGNORANT ADORABLE STUPID PEOPLE THAT I DESCENDED DIRECTLY FROM
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
The thread continues with Nathan posting screenshots of the WhatsApp conversation he then had with his parents in which the poor guy desperately attempted to explain who Pogba was and why meeting him on a train was a fairly big deal.
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
Then comes the immortal line from Nate’s dad.
“He also had red crocodile skin luggage, which struck me as odd”
Despite their son’s obvious excitment, it didn’t take long for Mr and Mrs Patrick to get over the thrill of bumping into a World Cup winner on public transport.
They are now sharing photos of a dog they saw after they got off the train, so I think it’s safe to say they’ve moved on.
Thank you for your time.
Football, eh? ⚽️❤
— Nate Patrick (@N8NathanPatrick) 20 January 2019
The full thread is compiled here should you wish to marvel at the entire thing.
An excellent little vignette and a tantalising glimpse into how professional footballers amuse themselves in their spare time these days.
Uno.