Manchester United star Paul Pogba has opened up about the devastating toll his time at Old Trafford had on his mental health, revealing that he fell into depression during his strained relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
In an interview with GQ France, Pogba shared how, despite an initially triumphant return to Manchester United, things took a turn for the worse, especially under Mourinho’s leadership.
He described a period when he felt sidelined and misunderstood, saying, “I was a player with a big role in the team, and suddenly, I found myself on the bench. I couldn’t speak, there was no communication.”
The lack of communication between Pogba and Mourinho led to further tension, resulting in Pogba being stripped of his vice-captaincy.
The situation worsened after a highly publicized confrontation between the two during a training session.
According to reports, Mourinho even called Pogba a “virus” in the dressing room following a 2-2 draw with Southampton in December 2018.
While the fallout from his relationship with Mourinho was difficult to bear, Pogba revealed the physical toll it took on him.
He admitted that he fell into depression, a condition he did not initially recognize.
“I wasn’t happy, and a football player who isn’t happy can’t perform well,” Pogba said.
“I fell into depression without even realizing it. Because no one teaches us what depression is. Until I started having bald spots on my scalp.”
The stress Pogba endured during this period took a visible toll on his health.
He soon learned that his hair loss was a result of the overwhelming stress he was facing, a sign of how deeply the emotional struggles were affecting his body.
Despite the pain, Pogba continued to push forward in his career, but the emotional burden became increasingly difficult to carry.
In addition to his struggles at Manchester United, Pogba also faced an extortion case that affected his personal life.
His brother, Mathias Pogba, and five accomplices were convicted of extorting the footballer, demanding €13 million (£11.1 million) from him.
Pogba described a traumatic experience in 2022 when he was held at gunpoint and forced to pay €100,000 (£85,500) to the extortionists.
“I hid everything about the extortion,”he said.
“My wife didn’t know, my children didn’t know. When I got home from training, I had to play the role of father and husband. I kept it all to myself. In the end, it was eating me alive.”
His openness about falling into depression and the pressures of dealing with personal extortion sheds light on the importance of addressing mental health in sports and beyond.
After his 18-month doping ban ended in March, Pogba is now free to play again.
Despite receiving offers from several clubs, including Marseille and Inter Miami, he plans to take his time before deciding on his next move.
In his own words, “I’m taking my time, trying to make the best decision for myself.”
However his moves forward with his career, Pogba’s message is clear mental health matters, and it is essential to address the challenges that can often go unnoticed.
