Paul Pogba recently revealed that he could have joined Manchester City in 2022 if it weren’t for personal challenges he faced at the time. In an interview with Daily Mail, Pogba shared how a series of unfortunate events, including a burglary and an extortion attempt, forced him to leave Manchester and disrupted his career plans.
According to Pogba, his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer did not necessarily mean he had shut the door on staying in the city. He hinted that he was open to moving to United's rivals, Manchester City, but external factors heavily influenced his decision. The French midfielder expressed regret about how these personal challenges impacted not only his professional life but also his mental well-being, limiting his options during a crucial phase of his career.
Pogba emphasized that his move away from Manchester was not solely motivated by football but also by the need to prioritize his safety and peace of mind. He referred to the difficult period he endured, particularly mentioning a traumatic burglary and the extortion scandal involving individuals from his inner circle. These issues made it impossible for him to stay in Manchester and focus fully on his career at the time.
In reflecting on the opportunity to join Manchester City, Pogba said that the possibility was never completely ruled out. The circumstances surrounding his departure from United allowed him to leave on a free transfer, meaning there were no contractual barriers preventing him from signing with City. However, his personal life had become so chaotic that making such a high-profile switch between rival clubs was not feasible at the time.
Pogba’s comments also suggest that had things been different, he might have been wearing City’s colors today. Joining a club like Manchester City would have represented not only a fresh start but also a chance to work under one of the best managers in football, Pep Guardiola. However, the challenges in his personal life, including fears for his family’s safety, ultimately led him to seek a new chapter away from England.
By leaving Manchester, Pogba hoped to escape the chaos and regain some sense of normalcy in his life. His struggles during that period illustrate the significant impact off-field issues can have on an athlete’s career decisions. Although many may have seen his departure from United as a purely football-related move, Pogba’s statements make it clear that the situation was far more complex. He hinted that things might have taken a different course if the circumstances had been more favorable, leaving fans to wonder how different his career path could have been.
This candid admission offers insight into the pressures and difficulties athletes like Pogba face off the pitch. The midfielder's experience serves as a reminder that even top-level professionals are not immune to personal challenges, and these issues can heavily influence major career decisions. In Pogba's case, the burglary and extortion threats not only disrupted his focus but also deprived him of a potential opportunity to continue his career in Manchester under a different banner.
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