Paul Pogba is investing in racing… camel racing

Paul Pogba has taken an unexpected step in his post-football journey, venturing into the world of camel racing with an investment in the Saudi Arabia-based team Al Haboob.

Now both a shareholder and an ambassador for Al Haboob — recognised as the first fully professional camel racing outfit active across the UAE and the Gulf — the Monaco midfielder is embracing a sport far removed from the European football spotlight.

Pogba, told BBC Sport: "I've watched my fair share of (camel) races on YouTube and spent time doing research in my spare time trying to understand the techniques and strategies. And what stood out to me is how much dedication it takes from everyone involved. At the end of the day, sport is sport. It demands heart, sacrifice and teamwork."

Camel racing holds deep cultural roots in the Middle East, and its popularity has endured for generations. Pogba says the parallels with other sports are closer than people think.

"People might not realise it, but sport always connects in some way," he explained.

The French midfielder — once the most expensive footballer in the world after his 89 milion pounds move to Manchester United in 2016 — hinted at a new ambition beyond the pitch: "Being the world's most expensive footballer was an honour, but it also came with a lot of hard work, pressure and responsibility. Owning the world's most expensive camel one day would be a beautiful full-circle moment - something fun, something meaningful and something that excites me. Maybe one day we make it happen."

Guess who's back

Pogba recently returned to competitive action on 22 November, coming off the bench in Monaco’s 4–1 Ligue 1 loss to Rennes — his first match since September 2023. His long absence followed a doping violation that initially resulted in a four-year ban, later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Throughout the ordeal, Pogba insisted that the infraction stemmed from an unintentional mistake, saying he had taken a supplement without realising it contained a prohibited substance.