Shock as Paul Pogba held hostage by childhood friends for €13 million
- Paul Pogba was allegedly extorted by five childhood friends, including his brother Mathias, who held him at gunpoint.
- The defendants claim that their intentions were misunderstood and that the situation was not premeditated.
- The trial highlights the complexities of friendship and trust in the face of financial motivations.
In March 2022, Paul Pogba, the renowned international football player, found himself embroiled in a serious legal matter involving five of his childhood friends, including his brother Mathias Pogba. These individuals faced multiple charges, including attempted extortion, criminal conspiracy, and kidnapping, centered around a disturbing incident on the night of March 19-20. The group had lured Pogba to an apartment in Montévrain, east of Paris, under the pretense of wanting to resolve personal issues. However, they brutally turned the reunion into a shocking crime when two armed men held Pogba at gunpoint, demanding a staggering €13 million from him. Throughout the trial, which began on November 27, 2024, the defendants attempted to downplay their actions and portray the situation as a misunderstanding rather than a premeditated act of extortion. Machikour K., the first defendant, insisted that the meeting was not planned and presented a narrative that contradicts the prosecution's claims, stating that they did not intend to frighten Pogba or extort him. Despite their defense, the severity of the allegations highlights how complex relationships can be dramatically impacted by greed and betrayal, revealing the dark side of friendships corrupted by money. The outcome of this case, along with the implications for Pogba's relationships and mental well-being, remain to be seen as the trial unfolds.