Memphis Depay took to his various social media platforms to share an old picture showing Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba, and himself.
The 27-year-old Dutch striker who left Lyon on July 1, 2021, to join FC Barcelona, used the photograph as a throwback Thursday post to the admiration of his 12.2 million Instagram followers.
Based on the tag on the picture, the photograph was taken on June 15, 2017. From all indications, the shot was either taken at a party or in a nightclub but the country where the photograph was taken could not be confirmed.
In the caption, Memphis Depay described himself, Romelu Lukaku, and Paul Pogba as young kings and wondered whether the characters in the picture remembered the shot.
In case you are wondering where the three football stars met themselves and established such a long-time connection, wonder no further. The three players met in the Premier League between 2015 and 2017.
Recall that Paul Pogba is a product of the Manchester United youth system. He was at the club until 2012 before he left the Premier League club to play for Juventus on a free transfer. The 28-year-old French midfielder returned to Manchester United on a transfer fee worth €105 million on August 9, 2016.
At that period, Memphis Depay was already at Manchester United. The Netherlands international joined the Premier League club from Dutch club, PSV on July 1, 2015, for a transfer fee worth €34 million.
Unfortunately for Depay, he was not able to impress at Manchester United. He struggled to live up to expectations until he had to be sold to Lyon for just €16 million on January 20, 2017.
As for Paul Pogba, he got to Manchester United when Memphis Depay had gone to France to play for Lyon. From all indications, the Belgian striker had established a kind of connection with Depay before the Dutchman left the Premier League.
Four years after the throwback picture Depay shared on Instagram on Thursday, August 19, the three players are no longer playing in the same club and league. Romelu Lukaku just joined Chelsea from Inter Milan for Chelsea’s transfer record fee worth €115 million.
While Paul Pogba is still having a season left on his contract with Manchester United. Though the Premier League club are interested in extending Pogba’s contract, the Frenchman is reportedly thinking of exiting the club.
As for Memphis Depay, he is currently playing for FC Barcelona after he left Lyon for the Spanish club for free. The Dutchman is seen as the new talisman of the club after the exit of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint Germain earlier in August.
In his first La Liga game for FC Barcelona, Depay provided an assist in the club’s 4-2 win over Real Sociedad. He is expected to lead FC Barcelona against Athletic Club at 21:00 on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Despite being in different clubs and leagues, the three players still maintain their friendship until today. When Depay posted the throwback photograph above on Instagram, Pogba did not miss the opportunity of commenting on it.
