Paul Pogba was walking along the pit wall at Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit when reporters gathered around him. Before long, questions turned to Manchester City’s guilty verdict.
The French midfielder smirked, lifted a hand and replied: ‘I have nothing to say, to be honest.’
Yet Pogba did have a view on the matter. Four years have passed since the 33-year-old last faced City while representing their biggest rivals, Manchester United, but he still has a personal interest in the club’s appeal against its conviction on 114 Premier League charges.
‘I just hope it doesn’t affect the Premier League,’ Pogba said. ‘Hopefully we can get two titles back.’
Pogba was once a central figure at United, playing a major role in two sides that went head-to-head with City at the height of their dominance. On both occasions, however, the Red Devils finished behind their neighbours, ending the 2017-18 and 2020-21 Premier League campaigns as runners-up.
Only the first of those close title races fell within the period in which City were found to have used ‘sham’ contracts and agreements to manipulate their accounts by approximately £900million. As a result, whatever sanction City may ultimately face, Pogba is probably only in line to dream of reclaiming one Premier League title.
Paul Pogba spoke on the Man City guilty verdict while at Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday
These days, the former World Cup winner is no longer chasing silverware. He has been a free agent since his Monaco contract was terminated in the summer, following an injury-hit spell with the French club.
Rather than starring on the football pitch, Pogba has recently been embracing the glamorous world of Formula One, attending the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, as well as fashion events in some of the world’s most stylish cities.
His appearance in Singapore came through long-term sponsor Adidas, with whom he has been partnered for more than a decade. It followed his appearance alongside his wife, Zulay, at The Business of Fashion 500 Gala in Paris the previous week.
The former France international has always had a strong interest in fashion. Away from football, he regularly displays bold clothing choices—some admired, others more questionable—and he has even launched his own apparel brand.
POGBA MDXCIII—1593 in Roman numerals, potentially referencing his birth date of March 15, 1993—was launched in October last year. Designed in Miami with ‘the finest artisans and manufacturers’, the brand aims to ‘redefine the codes of luxury sport, blending excellence, authenticity, and emotion’.
The BOF 500 event formed part of Paris Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious fashion showcases in the world and a member of the ‘Big Four’ alongside Milan, London and New York. Pogba attended in a sharp tuxedo with Zulay at his side, looking every inch the star and wearing a smile that suggested he knew it.
Pogba is currently enjoying a lavish lifestyle, and if he eventually chose to leave football behind, he would have no shortage of opportunities. However, he has given no indication that he intends to retire from the sport.
The midfielder, once regarded as one of the finest players in the world, had hoped to rebuild his career after joining Monaco on an initial two-year contract. He broke down in tears after the transfer was confirmed, viewing the move as his first opportunity for redemption following an 18-month doping ban.
Pogba (pictured scoring against Man City in 2018) was part of a Man United team who twice finished second to rivals City
Pogba is without a club after having his Monaco contract terminated during the summer
His Monaco debut came 808 days after his previous appearance for Juventus. The lengthy absence followed a four-year suspension initially imposed while he was at the Italian club, after he tested positive for the prohibited substance DHEA. The ban left one of football’s most recognisable names out in the wilderness.
Pogba told Juventus that he had taken nutritional supplements reportedly provided by a doctor based in Miami. He said he was unaware that the products contained testosterone, a discovery that ultimately led to his suspension.
The former Manchester United and Juventus player remained largely out of the spotlight over the following year. That changed in October 2024, when his ban was reduced to 18 months. After a deeply difficult period, Pogba could finally begin to look ahead.
The reduction meant Pogba was free to return to professional football, and he did so with Monaco. But after only featuring in six games during one season at the club, while earning £44,000 a week, his contract was cut short.
After everything he has been through, he is back to square one.
A career in Europe doesn’t seem to be on the cards for Pogba, nor does a venture to Saudi Arabia. However, the MLS appears to be the most likely destination at the time of writing. Daily Mail Sport understands Pogba was offered to clubs within the league back in August.
Interest from across the pond isn’t new; Pogba previously held talks with DC United, while David Beckham’s Inter Miami – home to Lionel Messi – have also been linked to the midfielder in the past.
There have also been rumours about a new life in the Big Apple, with Pogba linked with a move to New York City FC, where Frank Lampard went to retire following his 13-year trophy-laden stint at Chelsea. Nevertheless, Pogba has yet to have had any concrete talks with a new suitor.
The 33-year-old was last week spotted at aParis Fashion Week event with wife Zulay
Pogba has launched a new clothing brand last year and has long held an interest in the world of fashion
Meanwhile, as the rumour mill continues to spin, Pogba, who enjoyed two spells at United and made over 230 appearances for the club – scoring 39 times and providing 51 assists – is making sure to help those who trod the same steps he once took in Manchester.
Summer signing Carlos Baleba, who made his debut during the disappointing 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday night, recently revealed that Pogba was the first to congratulate him on his £70million switch from Brighton.
‘It was Paul Pogba,’ Baleba said when questioned on who first texted him after the move. ‘He said Manchester is a big club, a great city and he really enjoyed it here.’
If Baleba can produce similar moments of magic to what Pogba did in a Red Devils shirt, he will do more than just endear himself to the fans. The Frenchman will also want to rediscover that form when he eventually returns to the turf, to help rebuild a career that once threatened to flourish into one of the greatest we have seen but didn’t.
