Senegal’s Nampalys Mendy names Hazard and Pogba as toughest opponents

Senegal international Nampalys Mendy has identified Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba as the two toughest opponents he has faced during his professional career.

The 33-year-old midfielder, who began his career in 2010 and has played in both France and England, reflected on his experiences against top-level players in an interview relayed by Le Soleil Sports, based on comments made to Foot Mercato.

Having encountered numerous elite talents over the years, Mendy singled out the two players for the challenges they posed on the pitch.

Discussing Hazard, the former Chelsea FC playmaker, Mendy highlighted the Belgian’s exceptional ability to control matches and influence play at will.

“Eden Hazard was unbelievable. He did whatever he wanted,” he explained, recalling the difficulties of containing the attacker at his peak.

Mendy then turned his attention to Pogba, a player he frequently came up against in midfield. The former Juventus FC and Manchester United star left a strong impression due to his unique blend of strength and technical skill.

“I was playing in midfield against him, it was tough,” Mendy said, before using a vivid comparison to describe Pogba’s presence on the pitch.

“He gives off an aura. You know, in manga, in Hunter x Hunter, they have auras. Pogba is like that. He gives off something. You know he’s special.”

Beyond the psychological impact, Mendy also pointed to the physical and technical attributes that made Pogba particularly difficult to handle.

He emphasised the contrast between the Frenchman’s build and his control of the ball, noting how rare such a combination is at the highest level.

“How tall, broad, and technically gifted he is. In fact, his technique is shocking compared to his physique,” he added, underlining the challenge of competing against a player with such a profile.

The Senegalese midfielder concluded by reflecting on Pogba’s career, expressing admiration for his achievements despite recent developments. “His career ended? It’s a real shame, but he made history,” Mendy said.