Paul Pogba Discusses Islam Conversion, Challenges Stereotypes in Sports

Converted to Islam at a time when the rise of terrorism has seen a resurgence of activity in the world, the "Pioche" has not hidden his discomfort during "this dark period when his religion has often been criticized". Pogba admits that his conversion to Islam has been "a good change in his life", because he says, "I was not born a Muslim.

For the former Turinese, "Islam is not the image that everyone sees, terrorism... What we hear in the media is really something else, it’s beautiful".

Among his friends, Pogba says he has many Muslims who have been a great spiritual comfort to him. "I prayed with them once, I felt something different, I was well, then I continued," he reports, while recalling one of the pillars of Islam: "you have to pray five times a day." And to testify that Islam is a religion that has opened my mind and perhaps made me a better person.

Coming to racism in football, the former Le Havre player regrets the seriousness of this reality. Pogba confirms that he has already seen real acts of racism in the stadiums with his own eyes. But rather than reacting just as violently, he once again advocates a discourse full of "love and tolerance".

It’s no use leaving the field, thinks Pogba, who tries to take a step back in the face of racism. "You want to play, you want to score for your team. And in the end, the racists will come and ask for a photo. It’s really sad to see that on a football field," he says. And to continue that "the world is beautiful with many colors, cultures, so when I talk about racism, I think it’s ignorance. I’m sad, not angry. I have Chinese friends, an Italian agent, a Brazilian lawyer, a Bolivian woman, I’m French of Guinean origin. My whole life is based on different cultures. I’m happy with what I have," boasted Pogba as a good citizen of the world and a multicultural man.