Pogba opens up on his Muslim faith and being a ‘better person’ (2024)

Paul Pogba has opened up on his Muslim faith and the role it has played in making him a “better person”.

Pogba’s mother practised Islam but did not raise her three sons to be Muslim. However the Manchester United midfielder connected with religion as an adult through friends, and says Islam is often misunderstood.

“Islam is not the image that everyone sees, terrorism,” Pogba told The Times’ Life Times podcast. “What we hear in the media is really something else. It’s something beautiful.”

After going through some difficult personal times Pogba has committed to his faith, and last month was pictured on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

“It made me change, realise things in life. I guess, maybe, it makes me more peaceful inside. It was a good change in my life because I wasn’t born a Muslim, even if my mum was. I just grew up like that, respect for everyone.

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“It came because I have a lot of friends who are Muslim. We always talk. I was questioning myself in a lot of things, then I started doing my own research. I prayed once with my friends and I felt something different. I felt really good.

“Since that day I just carried on. You have to pray five times a day, that’s one of the pillars of Islam. It’s something that you do. The meaning why you do it, you ask forgiveness and be thankful for everything you have, like my health and everything.

“It’s really a religion that opened my mind and that makes me, maybe, a better person. You think more about the afterlife. This life has a test. Like when I’m with you, here. Even if you’re not a Muslim, you are a normal human. You have a human relationship and respect you for who you are, what religion you are, what colour and everything.

“Islam is just this – respect of the humanity and everything.”

Pogba opens up on his Muslim faith and being a ‘better person’ (2024)

FAQs

Pogba opens up on his Muslim faith and being a ‘better person’? ›

You have to pray five times a day, that's one of the pillars of Islam. It's something that you do. The meaning why you do it, you ask forgiveness and be thankful for everything you have, like my health and everything. “It's really a religion that opened my mind and that makes me, maybe, a better person.

Does Pogba fast during Ramadan? ›

Antonio Rudiger, Mesut Ozil and Paul Pogba lead the way as football stars take to social media to mark the start of Ramadan with players set to fast for 12 hours a day over the holy month. Footballers have taken to social media to mark the start of Ramadan, one of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar.

What is the story with Paul Pogba? ›

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football for doping by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (Nado). Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA back in August, following Juve's Serie A encounter with Udinese in which the ex-Manchester United midfielder remained on the bench.

Does Paul Pogba pray? ›

Dream - Football star, Paul Pogba, shares a moment welcoming the holy month of Ramadan through his social media. In his Instagram post, he shares a photo of himself in a mosque. It is suspected that the Juventus midfielder is performing the umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Why is Pogba so famous? ›

Born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, Pogba is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, known for a rare mix of technical ability, range of passing, physicality, ball-winning abilities, and creativity on the pitch.

Can you pee while fasting Ramadan? ›

But many Muslims will also notice frequent urinating through the fasting day too, despite not actually drinking anything. So why do we need to pee so much? Surely what goes in has already come out by a certain point? Well, just because you're not drinking doesn't mean the bladder's job is done.

Does kissing break your fast during Ramadan? ›

Kissing your partner whilst fasting does not invalidate your fast but it is advised to refrain from kissing your partner with desire during fasting hours as Muslims must abstain from food, drink and sex while fasting. You can only have sex or any intimate contact must be done before or after the hours of fasting.

Why did Pogba dye his hair blue? ›

The Red Devils' star's hair is currently blue having had it dyed during the recent international break when he suited up for France, who are nicknamed Les Bleus.

Is Paul Pogba a Catholic? ›

Personal life. Pogba is a practicing Muslim.

How rich is Pogba? ›

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Pogba's net worth is estimated to be in the region of $125 million (£99m). That's thanks to the big wages he's cashed in at United and Juventus, while he's also been one of the football's most marketable stars in recent years.

What languages does Pogba speak? ›

Paul Pogba:

French football player Paul Pogba plays primarily as a central midfielder (but can also play as a left winger, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and a playmaker) for Juventus Football Club and the France National Team. Pogba is multilingual and can speak French, English, Italian, and Spanish.

Who said never stop praying? ›

Yet Scripture reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Always be joyful and never stop praying.” Never stop praying even when you're weary, disappointed, and disillusioned.

Who does Christianity pray to? ›

Biblical prayer is ordinarily to be addressed to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. This scriptural pattern calls attention to the Trinitarian nature of redemption (Eph. 1:1–14) and underscores key aspects of the believer's relationship with God.

What is Pogba's best performance? ›

For his greatest game, Pogba unsurprisingly went for the 2018 Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, where he scored twice to help us mount a remarkable comeback win from 2-0 down (watch the highlights above).

Is Paul Pogba still married? ›

Paul Pogba may be enduring a tough time professionally at the moment, but the Frenchman is all smiles in his personal life with wife Zulay.

Do footballers fast for Ramadan? ›

With some players fasting mid-season and having their usual rest and recovery clock altered, it begs the question of what the football industry can do to help improve the working conditions for Muslim players leading into and during the month of Ramadan.

Who doesn't fast for Ramadan? ›

In Islam, there are several excuses for not fasting Ramadan, including prepubertal children, women during their menstrual period or postnatal bleeding, travelers, pregnant or breastfeeding women who believe fasting for long hours may cause harm to either themselves or their babies,[21] the elderly who cannot tolerate ...

Do pro athletes fast during Ramadan? ›

This is a typical day for professional Muslim athletes fasting during Ramadan. Ramadan is a period of deep spiritual reflection, and is considered the holiest month for Muslims, who abstain from food and drink — not even a drop of water — every day from dawn to sunset for about 30 days.

Do NBA players fast during Ramadan? ›

Muslim athletes have long trained and competed while fasting for Ramadan, including Olympians and several NBA players.

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