France hero Paul Pogba paid tribute to his father by holding the World Cup trophy with shin pad having the image of his late father.
The shin pad carried a message, in French, translated: "Oh Lord, do not chastise me for what they say. Forgive me for what they do not know and make me better than what they think of me."
He later shared a picture of himself with the shin pad on Twitter and wrote, “Mom and dad, it’s for you!”
Papa et maman c’est pour vous ????????????????? mom and dad, it’s for you! @equipedefrance #fiersdetrebleus pic.twitter.com/Gyh9lTfuL5 — Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) July 15, 2018
Pogba's father Fassou Antoine, who left his native Guinea to move to France - the country his son Paul chose to represent at international level, died a year ago aged 79 following an illness.
Goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, as well as a controversial VAR-awarded penalty, helped France beat Croatia 4-2 in an incredible World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time in their history.
Papa c’étais por toi ???????? Dad this one was for you. @equipedefrance #allezlesbleus #fiersdetrebleus#weliveforfootball #WorldCup #WorldCup2018 #HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/nAyAgJMGcP
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) June 16, 2018