“You can do something great, next day you are nobody” - When ex-Manchester United star Paul Pogba explained cruel nature of football

Former Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba once made an alarming admission about the cruel nature of football. The Frenchman said it felt like he 'doesn't exist anymore' after some of the criticsm aimed at him.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner made this claim during an interview with Al-Jazeera back in September, 2023. While referring to the critics, Pogba stated:

"Football is very beautiful but it's cruel. You can do something great and the next day you're nobody."

Pogba also touched upon some of the things said about him:

"I'm over, I'm dead. Paul Pogba doesn't exist anymore."

Pogba is often considered one of the best midfielders of the modern era, having played for top European clubs like Manchester United and Juventus. He has also had a stellar career with France at the international level.

The 31-year-old has represented his nation 91 times, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists. Pogba also scored in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia, helping France register a 4-2 win.

Few players in world football possess the class that Pogba displayed on the pitch. However, Pogba is now serving a four-year ban after being suspended for doping. He tested positive DHEA, which can naturally raise levels of testosterone.

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Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho claimed 2018 FIFA World Cup win changed Paul Pogba

The 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph was the highest point of Paul Pogba's professional career. The midfielder had a stellar tournament, helping his team to win the competition in Russia.

However, former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claimed that Pogba lost focus after the tournament. Speaking to The Telegraph in April, Mourinho said:

"The only thing I say is that it happens with almost everybody in some moment of your career. You lose a little bit of the sense of who you are and what you have to be. The season after France won the World Cup, I think Paul came back different."

Mourinho and Pogba's relationship was often heated. The Portuguese manager even claimed that after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, football was no longer the top priority in Pogba's life.