Paul Pogba has revealed he experienced depression “several times” in his career, with the first episode occurring during José Mourinho’s time as Manchester United manager. The France midfielder said he struggled with the relationship and was stripped of the vice-captaincy in 2018.
In an interview with Le Figaro, Pogba stressed that high salaries do not make footballers immune to mental health problems. “Of course we earn a lot of money and we don’t complain, really. But that does not prevent you from going through these moments in your life,” he said.
Pogba agreed with Thierry Henry that there is insufficient discussion about players’ mental health. He cited Kylian Mbappé’s penalty miss at Euro 2020 as an example of the intense scrutiny players face. “If you are not shielded mentally, you are dead in this sport,” he added.
The 2018 World Cup winner said he speaks with former players, including Patrice Evra, to cope. “My psychiatrist can be my best friend, my wife or my son. To speak, to be listened to, to get out all of this rage and this depression that is gnawing at you is obligatory for me,” Pogba explained.
