Paul Pogba has transitioned into the unique and culturally rich sport of camel racing after making a significant investment in the Saudi Arabia-based team Al Haboob. This marks a fascinating new chapter in his life beyond football, where he has taken on the roles of both shareholder and ambassador for Al Haboob, which proudly claims to be the world’s first professional camel racing team competing at renowned events across the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region.
At 32 years old, Pogba expressed his excitement about this new venture during an interview with BBC Sport. He mentioned, “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.” His commitment to learning about camel racing highlights his dedication and openness to exploring diverse sporting cultures. He continued, “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, which holds a prestigious place in Middle Eastern traditions, is not just a sport for spectators but a spirited competition involving deep-rooted practices and exceptional animal care. Pogba acknowledged this by stating, “People might not realize it, but sport always connects in some way.” He drew parallels between various sports, noting, “Whether it’s football, camel racing, boxing – the foundations are similar. You need determination, you need focus, you need discipline and grit. That’s what makes champions at the end of the day.”
The Frenchman, who previously held the title of the world’s most expensive player when he joined Manchester United from Juventus in 2016 for a staggering £89 million, reflected on the pressures that accompany such status: “Being the world’s most expensive footballer was an honour, but it also came with a lot of hard work, pressure, and responsibility.” This experience shapes his perspective in camel racing, where he mused about the ambition to perhaps own the world’s most expensive camel one day. “It would be a beautiful full-circle moment – something fun, something meaningful, and something that excites me. Maybe one day we make it happen.”
Founded by visionary entrepreneurs Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, Al Haboob is leading the way in modernizing the sport of camel racing, making it accessible for broader international audiences. Almaeena praised Pogba’s involvement, stating, “Paul’s involvement is transformational. His influence, leadership, and passion for cultural storytelling reflect exactly what Al Haboob stands for. This partnership is about more than racing; it is about sharing a heritage that deserves global recognition.”
Pogba made his much-anticipated return to professional football on November 22, stepping onto the pitch as a late substitute during Monaco’s 4-1 Ligue 1 defeat against Rennes. His comeback follows a long hiatus after facing a doping ban that originally was set for four years but was eventually reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Throughout this challenging period, Pogba has maintained his stance that the situation was a mistake, alleging he was given a supplement without knowledge of its banned substance content.
This new journey in camel racing not only offers Pogba a fresh start but also an opportunity to connect with a different sporting community while sharing and celebrating traditional heritage on an international platform.
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