When you're one of the most marketable footballers on the planet, the chances of escaping to a secluded sun-lounger for the summer are pretty slim. Paul Pogba wouldn't want that anyway, that's not in his nature. Landing in China with Three Stripes and bare likes the Manchester United midfielder took his swag east for a pre-season tour of his own.
In a new theme of singular-player pre-season tours adidas showcased Pogba around China to take in sights, build-up his profile, dab in various tourist spots and just generally have a good time before returning for pre-season. Chauffeured around China on his personal adidas tour bus complete with portable barbers to keep that trim fresh, Pogba's natural thirst for inquisitive adventure led him to mix with fans, getting the ball out at every opportunity.
Using their leading player to build hype in alternative markets is something that both adidas and Nike have set out to achieve this summer. Neymar and Nike have toured the United States, and Pogba and adidas have gone some way to install the Frenchman as the Great Paul of China. In the same way as a football club will travel the world in pre-season, the two big hitting sports brands have leaned on their most valuable and marketable assets to promote and inspire this summer.
