In July 2022, the Juventus player, 30, filed a complaint with Turin magistrates, alleging he was the target of a 13 million euro (£11.1 million) blackmail plan.

Mathias Pogba was arrested in September 2022 but released in December following a judicial review.

The 33-year-old rejects all of the charges leveled against him.

Former Manchester United midfielder Pogba told Al Jazeera about the incident’s impact on him: “When there is money, you have to be careful.” People are influenced by money. It has the potential to sever a family. It has the potential to spark a conflict.

“Sometimes I was alone and thought, ‘I don’t want to have money anymore.'” I simply don’t want to play any longer. I just want to be with regular people who will adore me for who I am, not for my celebrity or money.’

“It can be difficult at times. You must go through this life. It will only strengthen me.”

Prosecutors in France launched an inquiry last September, two months after Pogba made his original allegation.

According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the probe would look at claims such as “blackmail by an armed gang, kidnapping, and membership in a criminal conspiracy.”

Yassine Bouzrou, Mathias’ lawyer, stated that his client is innocent following his detention in September.

After leaving United, the younger Pogba joined Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.

Mathias is also a professional footballer who has represented Guinea and played for clubs in Europe such as Crewe, Wrexham, Crawley, and Partick Thistle in the United Kingdom.