Paul Pogba has invested in one of the world’s leading camel racing teams, marking a surprising new chapter in his sporting interests.
The former Manchester United midfielder is now a shareholder and ambassador for Al Haboob, a prominent Saudi Arabian camel racing outfit.
Pogba, 32, who currently plays for Monaco, has reportedly spent considerable time learning about the sport and says he admires the “heart, sacrifice, and teamwork” required to compete. Camel racers can reach impressive speeds of up to 40mph.
The investment comes shortly after Pogba made his return to football following an 18-month doping ban.
“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,” Pogba told BBC Sport.
“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.”
He added that sports across all disciplines share similar foundations.
“Whether it’s football, camel racing, boxing — the foundations are similar. You need determination, focus, discipline, and grit. That’s what makes champions.”
Al Haboob is known as the world’s first professional camel racing team and competes internationally. The team participates in events across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — a regional bloc consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — and aims to help develop the sport into a fully professional league.
