Rafaela Pimenta, Paul Pogba’s agent, takes advantage of the lull around the extra-sporting affair involving her player to discuss situations of “tension or blackmail” in very high level football. She also claims that stories like those of the French international “are not rare” in the middle.
“It’s not uncommon for footballers to experience situations of tension or blackmail. They are threatened because they are very exposed, ”says the one who took over the management of the agency from Mino Raiola, a famous agent who died in April, in an interview with the Italian sports daily. Tuttosport.
“The players are ashamed”
“I saw it all, especially the blackmail: players are afraid to report these things because they fear for their image or are ashamed. They are silent and experience incredible stressful situations, ”she describes.
“When Paul finally decided to ask for help, he improved the situation and realized that a solution existed”, continues Rafaela Pimenta.
The star of the France team and Juventus Turin denounced extortion attempts between March and July 2022 amounting to 13 million euros, as well as acts of kidnapping, on the night of March 19 to 20. His older brother Mathias Pogba is indicted in this case for extortion in an organized gang and participation in a criminal association with a view to preparing a crime. “It’s in the hands of the lawyers. Paul did everything he had to do,” according to his agent.
Paul Pogba back soon
Rafaela Pimenta also evokes the injury to the right knee (lateral meniscus) at the end of July by Pogba, 29, who was finally operated on in early September after having first given up an intervention in early August. “He was convinced that with the conservative therapy (rest and care, without surgery) he would have returned more quickly. Fortunately, now it’s over. He will quickly return to the field for his Juve, ”she explains.
Pogba, who returned to the Bianconeri this summer after six years at Manchester United, has not yet been able to play any official match with the Italian club. He could resume group training from this week with the hope of returning to the field at the end of the month with his club and of being able to integrate the list of the French team for the World Cup-2022 in extremis.
The coach of the Blues Didier Deschamps, probably already deprived of N’Golo Kanté in the middle, will announce his choices on November 9 for the competition (November 20-December 18).