Paul Pogba opens up on family impact of extortion case

Paul Pogba has described the emotional impact of the extortion case involving his family, revealing how the situation affected his mother in particular.

Speaking in a podcast interview with former England defender Rio Ferdinand, the AS Monaco midfielder reflected on the difficulties faced during the episode and the strain it placed on those closest to him.

While Pogba has rarely addressed the matter publicly, he offered insight into how events unfolded within his family.

“Hearing all those stories was hard for her. Very hard. But she was always there […] It was really difficult because, when brothers argue, the first ones affected are the parents,” Pogba explained.

“So, it was hard for my mother. Of course, you have to be there for her; life goes by quickly. Maybe I made a mistake. My brother knew he had made one. But in the end, she’s our mother, and we have to make her happy.”

The case centred around Pogba being the victim of an extortion attempt, which led to legal proceedings involving his brother, Mathias Pogba.

The latter was sentenced to one year in prison, with an additional two years suspended, after being found guilty of “extortion as part of an organized group” and “attempted extortion”.

Since serving his sentence, the case has largely moved into the background, allowing Pogba to focus on rebuilding his career.

The midfielder returned to competitive action towards the end of 2025 after more than two years away from the game, marking a significant step in his recovery from a prolonged absence.

However, his comeback has been limited. After returning to the pitch, Pogba suffered a calf injury which restricted his involvement, with only brief appearances for AS Monaco in April. To date, he has accumulated 51 minutes of playing time in Ligue 1 since his return.

Despite these challenges, Pogba’s comments suggest that the most difficult period is now behind him, with his focus shifting towards both his professional recovery and the well-being of his family.