Paul Pogba, former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder, has shared deeply personal insights into his career and struggles in an interview with GQ France. The 31-year-old, currently sidelined due to a doping suspension, reflected on his time at Juventus, his battles with depression during his stint at Manchester United, and his hopes for the future.
On His Current Situation
Pogba expressed eagerness to return to football after a prolonged absence:
“First of all, I can’t wait to play… You know, it’s been so long since I’ve played football. I never imagined I’d find myself free at this point in the season. I’ve never experienced a transfer like this.”
Discussing his future, Pogba revealed that opportunities are emerging:
“Today there are offers. They’re coming from everywhere. Even from Europe? From everywhere. I want to see what suits me best because this is a crucial period in my life and career. It’s a decision I’ll take time to weigh carefully. These challenges have given me extra determination. I feel like a child who wants to become a professional again.”
Reflecting on His Time at Juventus
Pogba reminisced about his first spell at Juventus from 2012 to 2016:
“When I arrived in Italy, they called me Balotelli. I already had the mohawk, the colors, the celebratory dances, but also the technical moves and everything that came with it. That’s my personality; I learned football on the streets. In that team, there was room for me to express myself differently.”
However, his second stint at Juventus was far less fulfilling:
“I didn’t want to stay in Turin. In the mornings, I’d take my kids to school right next to the training ground—what suffering! I’d take the ball and play alone outside. I made do with what I had.”
Depression During His Time at Manchester United
Pogba revealed that depression began during his time at Manchester United:
“I fell into depression without even realizing it. Because no one teaches us what depression is. Until one day, I started getting bald spots on my scalp. I didn’t understand what was happening. They told me it was stress.”
He described how he tried to cope:
“I hid everything about this extortion attempt [involving his brother Mathias]. My wife didn’t know, nor did my kids. When I came home from training, I had to play the role of father and husband while keeping everything inside. It eventually ate away at me. During that time, I did everything possible to stay focused on football, but it became too difficult.”
On His Doping Suspension
Pogba also addressed the doping ban he received in 2023:
If it had taken four years [to resolve], I would have quit football. I didn’t want to say it publicly, but that’s what I thought. They gave me the maximum penalty, which means they didn’t really listen to anything I said.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges he’s faced, Pogba remains optimistic about his future: “I’m ready to fight for my place back [in football]. These experiences have made me stronger and more motivated than ever before.”
