"When I got banned, people disappeared even my wife,"- Pogba

For much of the past decade, Paul Pogba was a household name — a World Cup winner, Manchester United star, and one of the most marketable athletes in global football. But a recent doping ban brought everything to a standstill, not just on the pitch but in his personal life too.

In a candid and emotional statement, Pogba peeled back the layers of his public image to reveal the heartbreak behind the headlines. His words were raw, powerful, and deeply human:

“Getting banned from football changed my life completely. The fame faded. People I once called friends disappeared — even my wife left me.
That was the hardest part — being abandoned by the person I needed most during my lowest moment.
I was no longer ‘Pogba the star,’ and it felt like everything I had built came crashing down. But in that painful silence, I began to see things clearly. I saw people’s true colors. It hurt — deeply — but it also brought peace.
Now, I’ve accepted that this journey is mine alone. And that’s okay. I’ve found strength in solitude.”

This isn't just the story of a footballer facing suspension — it's the story of a man stripped of status, support, and even family, yet learning to stand tall again. Pogba’s experience is a stark reminder that fame often comes with fragile loyalty, and that adversity has a brutal way of showing who truly belongs in your life.

But amid the isolation, Pogba didn’t fold — he found clarity.

His honesty is a rare look into the mental and emotional toll athletes endure, far beyond the spotlight. It’s also a call to appreciate the human being behind the jersey, behind the headlines, behind the social media posts.

Pogba’s journey isn’t over. But one thing is certain: he’s no longer walking it for applause — he’s walking it for himself.