EXCLUSIVE
In an unique interview with Technology Sport, the World Cup winner discusses rising up within the Parisian suburbs, being held at gunpoint in an extortion try, psychological well being, the pressures of being an elite athlete, racism and religion.
Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba has spoken out towards police violence and referred to as for justice for the household of slain 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk in an unique interview with Al Jazeera.
A police officer shot {the teenager} throughout a site visitors cease within the suburbs of Paris on June 27. The killing sparked riots and civil unrest throughout France throughout the summer season.
“I don’t need France to blow. I don’t need to must see all of the individuals breaking neighbours’ automobiles, retailers and stuff like that as a result of that doesn’t assist. However what would assistance is justice,” Pogba instructed Al Jazeera’s Iman Amrani.
“I don’t assume you might be allowed to shoot somebody that’s unarmed, shoot him within the coronary heart as a result of he doesn’t have a driving licence and since he drove off. … And the policeman simply stopped working for the police station that he’s from and that’s it? This isn’t proper,” he stated.
“The individuals which might be accountable must additionally assist this poor mom, who’s alone now.”
In an interview with Al Jazeera’s Technology Sport, the World Cup winner additionally mentioned rising up within the Parisian suburbs, being held at gunpoint in an extortion try, psychological well being, the pressures of being an elite athlete, racism and religion.
“Soccer could be very lovely, but it surely’s merciless. Folks can overlook you. You are able to do one thing nice – the subsequent day, you’re no one,” he stated.
Pogba began his skilled profession at Manchester United earlier than rising to stardom with Juventus. He performed a pivotal function in a staff that received 4 Italian titles and earned a nomination for the Ballon d’Or. His switch again to Manchester in 2016 made him the world’s costliest participant on the time, and two years later, he scored within the World Cup last for France.
Pogba is now at a definitive level in his profession after being tormented by accidents since arriving again in Turin final season for his second spell at Juventus. He’s confronted abuse and criticism from some within the media for the whole lot from his look to his wage. On this season at Juventus, he’s out to show individuals fallacious.
“I need to make them eat their phrases. … I need to present them I’m not weak. They’ll discuss unhealthy about me. I’ll by no means hand over,” he stated.
Throughout his interval on the sidelines in 2022, a gang tried to extort Pogba for hundreds of thousands in a dispute that allegedly concerned a member of his household and previous pals. A French prosecutor has opened an investigation. Pogba instructed Technology Sport about how typically he needs he weren’t rich.
“Cash adjustments individuals. … It might probably break up a household. It might probably create a conflict,” he stated. “Generally I used to be simply on my own considering, ‘I don’t need to have cash anymore. I simply don’t need to play anymore. I simply need to be with regular individuals, so they may love me for me – not for the celebrity, not for the cash.’ Generally it’s powerful.”
Technology Sport with Paul Pogba, offered by Iman Amrani, can be broadcast on Sunday, September 10, on Al Jazeera English.